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18 <br /> and then Carrboro. The Hillsborough responses have increased steadily due to the addition of <br /> multiple medical and nursing facilities. EMS currently staffs six (6) 24-hour stations, with four (4) <br /> of those stations co-locating, and two (2) 12-hour stations, with both of those stations co- <br /> locating. It is important to note that with the exception of the Chapel Hill Fire Station in Glen <br /> Lennox, also known as EMS Station 3, none of the current facilities were originally built or <br /> intended to accommodate EMS operations, including the stand-along stations that house two of <br /> the northern stations. Co-locations have allowed EMS to protect the ambulances and drugs in a <br /> temperature controlled, enclosed and secure environment. <br /> Issue 2: How are the co-locations with the Fire Departments going? <br /> EMS is currently housing ambulances at the following colocations: <br /> Medic 2 — Carrboro Fire Rescue Station 1 (S. Main Street) <br /> Medic 3 — Chapel Hill Fire Station 2 (Hamilton Road) <br /> Medic 5 — Eno Fire Station 2 (St. Mary's Road) <br /> Medic 6 — Carrboro Fire Station 2 (Homestead Road) <br /> Medic 7 — New Hope Fire Station 2 (Hwy 86) <br /> *Medic 9 — Orange Grove Fire Station (Orange Grove Road) <br /> The co-locations are effective and advantageous for the communities and offer strategic <br /> placement of equipment and personnel. The County's partnerships with each fire department <br /> have strengthened, as the arrangement allows crews to routinely train with Fire Department <br /> personnel. Chapel Hill Fire and Orange Grove Fire both advanced to EMT level fire <br /> departments since the co locations. EMS is currently working with New Hope and Eno Fire to <br /> also advance to the EMT level in the upcoming year. EMS has improved its geographic <br /> knowledge in the service areas. These co-locations have also led to ambulances being housed <br /> inside, which greatly improved medication temperature control as well as keeping ambulances <br /> plugged into shorelines and preserving the ambulances. Ambulances were fitted with plymovent <br /> adaptors in FY 2018-2019 for those stations with plymovent exhaust systems. <br /> The County has experienced space issues at the majority of the co-location stations already <br /> established and designed for fire logistics and personnel. During weather events, EMS <br /> recognizes that fire departments increase staffing that continues the challenge of providing <br /> lodging for additional staff or relief staff for the following day. All of the County's co-locating <br /> partners have been extremely gracious and accommodating in adjusting operations and the <br /> living environment for EMS staff. Strategically, co-locations are placed in high demand areas <br /> with the exception of two locations that have the lowest utilization system wide; however, EMS <br /> is using these units to provide relief for the high demand stations, as well as provide visibility in <br /> communities that have not commonly experienced EMS presence. <br /> Future Co- locations <br /> Co-location with Orange Rural Fire Department <br /> • Waterstone Fire/EMS Station: <br /> • Entering design stage with Orange Rural Fire Department <br /> • Strategically placed to respond to the heavy numbers of medical facilities and senior <br /> housing in Hillsborough <br /> • EMS stand-a-lone station in Efland <br /> • Replaces the existing station <br /> • Strategically placed to quickly access major roadways <br /> • EMS stand a-lone Northern Cedar Grove <br />