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Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services 45 <br /> DRAFT REPORT and 911/Communications Center Operations Study <br /> EMS area base facilities, built to accommodate the needs of personnel, daily operations, equipment and <br /> vehicles, adequately staffed, and strategically located within the County, can significantly impact the <br /> response time concerns previously addressed. <br /> An EMS facility must include at the very least,the following type of spaces: <br /> • Indoor,temperature controlled vehicle bays with exhaust ventilation and recharging stations <br /> • Secure equipment, materials and medication storage <br /> • Special storage for certain narcotics and refrigerated medical supplies <br /> • Decontamination showers for personnel <br /> • Decontamination/wash areas for equipment <br /> • Space for air drying decontaminated equipment <br /> • Storage accommodations for contaminated clothing,waste,sharps, etc. <br /> • Accommodations for the handling of medical gases (oxygen) <br /> • Laundry facilities <br /> • Food preparation and dining space <br /> • Common/dayroom space <br /> • Multipurpose storage space <br /> • Staff Restrooms <br /> • Technology to permit wireless internet capabilities, phone, radio, and pager communications <br /> • Public entrance and space to accommodate visitors <br /> There have been those quick to suggest that EMS should "share space" with the Fire Departments. And <br /> there are those that have been just as quick to suggest that, "no, it would never work-Fire and EMS I <br /> could never get along". The fact is, Fire and EMS personnel work together throughout the County every <br /> day . . and get along just fine. <br /> Y g gJ <br /> The actual issue of Fire and EMS "sharing"facilities is more complex: <br /> • The ultimate purpose (mission)of each is different <br /> • Fire Department service areas are specific and limited <br /> • EMS'service area is the entire County <br /> • The schedules of each are different <br /> • EMS may run continuously for extended periods of time <br /> • Fire will more often respond to "periodic" incidents <br /> • The work habits of each are different <br /> • The facility requirements of each are different <br /> • Fire Departments are visible within their respective communities;few know where EMS is <br /> • Existing Fire station locations are not strategically located to adequately address the <br /> deployment of EMS vehicles;to push the"sharing" of these facilities would simply continue a <br /> practice that has already worn out its welcome. <br /> Solutions for Local Government,Inc. 43 <br />