Agenda - 11-19-2007-1c - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE STUDY ORANGE COUNTY EMS 1 The next tier is the Fire Department First Responders. They are dispatched with 2 other EMS units in urgent situations. These First Responders have medical 3 training, equipment and frequently arrive on scene before other EMS responders. 4 They can communicate with EMS responders about patient condition and status: 5 The next .tier of service is the Initial Response Vehicle Paramedic. IRV Paramedics 6 respond to all EMS Calls. Under this approach; it is the County's philosophy that 7 every citizen be provided equal access to high-qualify outcome-based medical 8 assessment and treatment. It also prevents many unnecessary transports allowing 9 the Division to operate with fewer resources at a lower cost to the taxpayer. 10 The theory behind using ]RV Medics is to treat the patient's medical condition, 11 rather than simply providing a, ride to the hospital. IRV Paramedics provide 12 advanced assessment and treatment as needed. The Orange County model is "out- 13 of-hospital" mediane rather than "pre-hospital" medicine. Orange County's 14 program is unique among North Carolina EMS systems. 15 Following the IRV Medic assessment, transportation maybe provided by aCounty- 16 .operated emergency ambulance staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians, or the 17 patient maybe referred to another more appropriate form of transportation. 18 EMS demand has increased countywide. Graphs are provided in the Appendix of 19 the report demonstrating _the increase in call volume. 20 21 22 Staffing 23 24 Under the 2007 budget, the Division is authorized for 24 paramedics (including 25 supervisors) and 24 EMTs. The management team consists of an Emergency 26 Medical Director who is on staff at UNC Hospitals and under whose medical 27 license the system operates, a Division Director, and an Operations Officer. 88