Agenda - 04-26-1999 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Emergency Management — EMT Paramedics Request: Establish three new q Permanent Full Time EMT — Paramedic positions. Purpose: Increase the level of service to citizens by increasing the number of on -duty paramedics, particularly during peak demand times, and reduce the current heavy overtime employee work schedules. Job Functions: ❑ Respond to medical and traumatic emergencies and other calls for assistance. ❑ Perform medical assessment, treatment, and referral or transport of patients. ❑ Maintain equipment, complete paperwork, and participate in required training. Needs Addressed: The needs leading to this request include the following: • There are periods of time when no paramedic is immediately available because all on- duty personnel already are involved in responding to or processing calls. • Often, the nearest available paramedic is at or just leaving UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. The nearest paramedic then is out of position and is miles away from some calls. ❑ Presently each of the 14 paramedics works an average of 330 hours of overtime each year in order to provide necessary staff coverage. These needs remain even though EMS has increased paramedic availability by: ❑ Stopping dispatch of EMS to "unknown injury" vehicle crashes. ❑ Contracting out convalescent and non - emergency ambulance transportation. ❑ Withdrawing EMS service provided to northern Chatham County. ❑ Implementing referral and treat on -scene options for paramedics to reduce transport needs and patient contact time. Outcomes: In summary, the three additional positions will: ❑ Increase the number of emergency calls in which a paramedic arrives on the scene within 10 minutes or less by 1,200 calls each year. Presently a paramedic arrives on the gMgrgwcy scene within 10 minutes 75 percent of the time. With the additional staff, EMS will have a parame is on the emergency scene within 10 minutes 90 percent of the time.