Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS has made national history by becoming the first Fire & EMS agency in the United States to achieve Obstetric Life Support (OBLS) certification, setting a new national benchmark for maternal emergency preparedness in the prehospital setting.

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This landmark achievement was led by Lt. Benjamin Sutton,

a National OBLS Faculty member, whose leadership and

expertise were instrumental in bringing this advanced training

to the agency. “Maternal emergencies are some of the most

time-critical and complex calls EMS providers face,” said

Lt. Benjamin Sutton. “OBLS gives our crews a clear framework,

shared language, and the confidence to act decisively when

caring for pregnant and postpartum patients—often before

they ever reach the hospital.”

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Raising the Bar for Maternal Emergency Care

Maternal emergencies require rapid recognition, decisive action, and exceptional team coordination—often in unpredictable, resource-limited environments. OBLS is a Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE)-approved, standardized, evidence-based training program designed to prepare EMS professionals for high-acuity, low-frequency events, including:

• Maternal cardiac arrest and resuscitation

• Severe obstetric hemorrhage

• Hypertensive emergencies and eclampsia

• Sepsis and respiratory compromise in pregnancy

• Obstetric emergency deliveries in the field

• Team-based communication and role clarity during complex calls

The OBLS curriculum uses a blended learning model that combines online education, hands-on simulation, and validated assessments, ensuring providers can translate knowledge into action under pressure.

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Addressing Rising Maternal Mortality—Especially in Rural and Underserved Communities

The need for specialized maternal emergency training has never been more urgent. Maternal mortality rates in the United States remain unacceptably high, with the greatest burden falling on rural and underserved communities, where access to obstetric care is often limited and EMS providers may be the only immediate medical resource available during pregnancy-related emergencies.

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In these settings, delays in recognition, stabilization, and transfer can have devastating consequences. OBLS was designed to close this gap by equipping EMS teams with the knowledge, skills, and structured decision-making tools needed to manage maternal emergencies effectively—from the moment of first contact through hospital handoff.

“Too many maternal deaths are preventable, and EMS plays a critical role in that prevention—especially in rural and resource-limited areas,” said Dr. Andrea Shields, co-creator of OBLS. “OBLS was built to give prehospital teams the confidence and capability to recognize maternal emergencies early, act decisively, and save lives when every minute counts.”

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Leadership Driving Innovation

Under Lt. Sutton’s leadership as National OBLS Faculty, Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS implemented OBLS in a way that aligns with EMS scope of practice, local protocols, and real-world operational demands—making the training practical, relevant, and sustainable. To reach OBLS certification for his agency, Lt. Sutton had to coordinate and train >80% of his workforce.

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“Being the first agency in the nation to achieve OBLS certification reflects our commitment to excellence and proactive patient care,” said Chief Jon Dixon, Division Chief of Operations. “Our community deserves the highest level of preparedness, and this training ensures our providers are ready for even the rarest, most critical maternal emergencies.”