Can anybody help with this? (Starting ALS service)

[skippy54]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently in the process of drawing up a proposal to pitch to our fire board. The proposal is establishing a paramedic response unit in our district. Given that the economy took a nasty turn right around the same time I proposed the idea to the Chief, one of the key things is finding a way to keep it affordable.

Before I go any further, I should state I have zero experience in starting any service of any kind. Since I was the one who brought it up I'm the one who gets to make the proposal, as it were. Which is why I'm looking for advice/direction. Currently we receive ALS from a neighboring municipality, but with our call volume where it is we would benefit greatly from having our own in terms of cost and revenue. We certainly can't rely on their two ambulances forever, especially with as many requests as we make in a year. One idea that was suggested by the Chief was a SUV response unit with one medic on at a time, and that would certainly keep the cost of the project down considerably.

Is anyone here knowledgeable in this particular area and able to help me brainstorm? Right now I feel like a salt water fish thrown in to fresh water, and no idea where to start!

 

[mikeN]

Does your service operate as BLS? In mass a service has to operate as BLS level for a year before it can offer ALS service.

 

[Summit]

When you go online, you want it to be professional and smooth. You have to start now.

Make sure your reporting and QA/QI process is rigorous.
Increase training opportunities.
Work out how you are going to get ALS personel, retain them, and keep their skills and education up to snuff.
Talk to the people responsible for your agency's liability.
Talk to your medical direction. You need them onboard. Go to them with your full roadmap on how to achieve ALS.

Then you can try to find money...