Sodium bicarbonate is used to counteract the effects of acid buildup in the blood, which often happens as a result of cardiac problems, certain poisonings, etc.
As far as IV's are concerned, in Utah an IV certified EMT can transport patients with IVs running, and a paramedic is not always required. At the time of E! the EMTs in the US were usually not IV rated and IV use was a paramedic level skill. Now we have many EMT-Intermediates who are IV trained as well as being certified to administer the drugs commonly used for cardiac emergencies (what they can do is regulated by each state and also local protocols). There are still a number of procedures that require paramedics, however. It's interesting to see how things change in 30 years.