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Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services 88 <br />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 addressed. <br />An EMS facility must include, at the very least, the following type of space: <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 <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 />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 continue to push the "sharing" of these facilities with their <br />respective requirements so different, would simply continue a practice; i.e. discussion; that has <br />worn out its welcome several times over. <br />Solutions for Local Government, Inc. 44 <br />