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ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 20, 2012 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-a <br /> SUBJECT: Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services and 911/ <br /> Communications Center Operations Study <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENTS: (UNDER SEPARATE INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> COVER) F. R. Montes de Oca, 919-245-6100 <br /> Comprehensive Assessment of Michael Talbert, 919-245-2153 <br /> Emergency Medical Services & <br /> 91 IlCommunications Center <br /> Operations Study <br /> PURPOSE: To accept the Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services & <br /> 911/Communications Center Operations Study dated October 2012, which has been reviewed <br /> and evaluated by the Emergency Services Workgroup (ESW) along with input from <br /> stakeholders. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Orange County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provides pre- <br /> hospital care and transport to residents and visitors throughout the County. Originated from <br /> volunteer services, Orange County EMS began providing advanced life support ambulances in <br /> the 1980's. EMS is a branch of the Orange County Emergency Services Department and is <br /> staffed by dedicated paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians around the clock. The <br /> EMS branch is the largest and highest-profile group within the department providing emergency <br /> response, patient care and patient transport from 400 square miles covering densely-populated <br /> urban settings to rural areas throughout the County. In addition to responding to 10,700 calls <br /> annually, EMS must be able to address extraordinary events such as multi-casualty incidents, <br /> large sporting events, stock car races and mass gatherings, assist at fires, evacuations and <br /> other disaster situations affecting public safety. <br /> The Orange County 911 Center is the public safety answering point for residents to access <br /> emergency services agencies. It originated in the former Orange County Sheriffs Office at <br /> Columbia and Rosemary Streets in Chapel Hill. It is a branch of Orange County Emergency <br /> Services and is staffed by dedicated professionals around the clock. <br /> On December 13, 2011 the Board discussed the Emergency Medical System Delivery and <br /> E911 Communications Center improvements. There was consensus that the County needed to <br /> develop a strategic plan to improve the County's Emergency Management Services Delivery <br />