What Happened?
A combination of fewer fire calls with more medical emergencies has Longmont, CO, considering a proposal to launch a city-run ambulance service that would change the role of the local firefighters union in emergency situations. The proposed changes are part of an integration strategy of medical services between public and private providers, which aims to reduce costs while making better use of available resources.
The Goal
The proposal includes creating a Longmont Community Medical Services Network that connects healthcare and medical services providers throughout the community such as hospitals, fire departments and EMTs. By creating a cooperative partnership network, the city hopes costs will be reduced as minor issues will be taken care of on-site rather than requiring emergency room visits that are both expensive and a strain on healthcare providers. The provider network would collaboratively assess the needs of each emergency situation and provide appropriate levels of care at a lower cost.
The new strategy is being reviewed in four different options. One plan would replace a private ambulance service provider with firefighters or qualified civilians to staff a city-run network. Local officials reported the vast majority of fire calls include medical emergencies, and replacing a fire engine with a city-run ambulance may increase the efficiency of emergency responders in each situation.
Furthermore, city officials are considering altering where patients are taken once picked up by ambulances. In certain circumstances, it may be more cost-effective to transport a patient to a clinic rather than an emergency room to receive care at a lower cost.
The local firefighters union is concerned about the possible effect the changes may have on the safety of residents as well as the efficiency of emergency responders. The city council plans to work collaboratively with the firefighters union, medical professionals and other experts in making the final decision.
Ambulances Anytime
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is also voting on a change to local ambulance services. Officials are proposing a 24/7 ambulance service that would make advanced life support accessible to residents at all times.
The Lancaster Emergency Medical Services Association would expand its advanced life support services in the region, taking over some of the coverage provided by the Susquehanna Valley Emergency Medical Services. The local community is spread out over a large area and is connected with rural roads, making it difficult for medical providers to offer 24/7 care in Susquehanna Valley. Lancaster County, however, has two units that offer 24/7 support and plans to expand its coverage with the addition of more stations.
In Coos County, Oregon, private ambulance service providers are making it easier to provide residents in remote locations with medical care. Many private ambulance agencies work together to transport patients longer distances when specialty services are required, and qualified EMTs from rural fire departments are used to assess immediate needs before patients are moved to a hospital or clinic. Coos County has signed an agreement to work with just one ambulance provider in conjunction with fire departments and hospital ambulances. The private company, in return, assists in training EMTs, teaches CPR classes and offers other consulting services.
Evolution of Emergency Services
EFficientGov has tracked consolidation efforts of 911 plans, as well as shift changes for more efficient delivery of services.