Kavsuvb
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Response times steadily increasing in Hartford, dispatch data shows
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Kavsuvb
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Here's more to this story
DrParasite
The fire extinguisher is not just for show
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Talk about crappy reporting and ignoring the underlying causes... it's like the reporters found a story, and forgot to do any actual analysis for why it was occurring....
Here are my questions and comments:
1) how many EMS units does the city pay for? Is this a zero bid contract, or does the city pay for X # of ambulances, and if the call volume exceeds X ambulances, what is the city's mutual aid policy? Note: I didn't say AMR's policy, what was the city's policy, as they are the AHJ, and they should be the ones who set the M/A policy for how calls are handled in their city.
1a) how many other EMS runs were be handled by AMR at the time of this tragic call? Need more context. as well as some analysis for why there were no units available.
2) if call volumes are increasing, and the city doesn't provide funding for more ambulances, the responsibility falls on the city.
This has been occurring over the past 25+ years... call volumes have been going up. taxpayer expectations have been going up (a paramedic on every ambulance), and the funding from the AHJ hasn't always increased. And it's not just in Hartford; many cities in the north east and midatlantic states have been having their run volumes increase significantly month over month and year over year. BTW, the city has 11 engine companies and 5 truck companies... if the city has been paying for less than 11 ambulances, than I think we have identified the root cause....
3) AMR and AETNA don't know how long it takes for dispatch to take and process the call. so you can't penalize AMR and AETNA for dispatch delays. they can only provide information that they have. similarly, you can't penalize an agency for picking up a mutual aid call, because it's not the their fault no units were available.
I'm going to assume that AMR is a self sufficient completed isolated EMS system, where they have their own supervisors, run sheets, policies, without direction communication to the city's 911 dispatch center. and the city's 911 dispatchers either soft transfer all medical calls to AMR for medical processing, or the city's dispatcher's receive a call, and then another dispatcher calls AMR with details.
As a former dispatcher, the call timer should start when the EMS dispatchers receive the call. Ideally, the city's CAD and AMR's CAD should be linked, where a medical call automatically populates from the city's CAD to AMR's CAD. Also, AMR should be required to provide a report to the city for any time a call came in and they had no units available, or they had to utilize (or look for) mutual aid to handle the call
4) Sen Anwar is right... you can't expect medicaid to cover the cost of ambulances. if municipalities want a better ems system, they need to pay for it. And no, having the fire department staff a few ambulances won't solve the issue, because firefighters are typically much more expensive than EMTs and Paramedics, and it's an expensive (and inefficient) short term fix to a much larger problem.
Here are my questions and comments:
1) how many EMS units does the city pay for? Is this a zero bid contract, or does the city pay for X # of ambulances, and if the call volume exceeds X ambulances, what is the city's mutual aid policy? Note: I didn't say AMR's policy, what was the city's policy, as they are the AHJ, and they should be the ones who set the M/A policy for how calls are handled in their city.
1a) how many other EMS runs were be handled by AMR at the time of this tragic call? Need more context. as well as some analysis for why there were no units available.
2) if call volumes are increasing, and the city doesn't provide funding for more ambulances, the responsibility falls on the city.
This has been occurring over the past 25+ years... call volumes have been going up. taxpayer expectations have been going up (a paramedic on every ambulance), and the funding from the AHJ hasn't always increased. And it's not just in Hartford; many cities in the north east and midatlantic states have been having their run volumes increase significantly month over month and year over year. BTW, the city has 11 engine companies and 5 truck companies... if the city has been paying for less than 11 ambulances, than I think we have identified the root cause....
3) AMR and AETNA don't know how long it takes for dispatch to take and process the call. so you can't penalize AMR and AETNA for dispatch delays. they can only provide information that they have. similarly, you can't penalize an agency for picking up a mutual aid call, because it's not the their fault no units were available.
I'm going to assume that AMR is a self sufficient completed isolated EMS system, where they have their own supervisors, run sheets, policies, without direction communication to the city's 911 dispatch center. and the city's 911 dispatchers either soft transfer all medical calls to AMR for medical processing, or the city's dispatcher's receive a call, and then another dispatcher calls AMR with details.
As a former dispatcher, the call timer should start when the EMS dispatchers receive the call. Ideally, the city's CAD and AMR's CAD should be linked, where a medical call automatically populates from the city's CAD to AMR's CAD. Also, AMR should be required to provide a report to the city for any time a call came in and they had no units available, or they had to utilize (or look for) mutual aid to handle the call
4) Sen Anwar is right... you can't expect medicaid to cover the cost of ambulances. if municipalities want a better ems system, they need to pay for it. And no, having the fire department staff a few ambulances won't solve the issue, because firefighters are typically much more expensive than EMTs and Paramedics, and it's an expensive (and inefficient) short term fix to a much larger problem.
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Kavsuvb
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In Hartford, Ct EMS is split between AMR and Aetna. AMR covers the North end of Hartford while AETNA covers the South end of Hartford including Wethersfield and Rocky Hill, Ct.
I know in Ct not many fire dept's have their own EMS.
Connecticut use to have EMT-I's before the hospitals and states abolished them mainly cause the state was flooded with Paramedics in the cities but not in the suburbs or Rural communities.
DrParasite
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sure, but how many ambulances does Hartford pay both AMR and Aetna to provide? The city is the AHJ, so they need to fund the appropriate level of service. They should pay for a set number of ambulances, and if the city needs more the city needs to pay for more ambulances. it is a contract requirement.
Sounds like the suburbs and rural communities need to increase the funding they provide to their EMS systems to hire more paramedics in non-urban areas.
DrParasite
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might not be common in CT, but it happens more than you would believe
Mich. city considers dropping private service for fire-based EMS
Troy officials are weighing a $4 to $5 million plan to launch city-run EMS, arguing it could cut response times and reduce long-term costs
www.ems1.com
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Kavsuvb
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We use to have EMT-I's in Connecticut when we were short on Paramedics. The state has so many paramedics in the cities and suburbs that in the rural communities they don't have paramedics.
In Connecticut, not many Fire depts have their own BLS ambulance but that may change in the near future.
DrParasite
The fire extinguisher is not just for show
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There might not be many around Hartford, but statewide, there are many Connecticut Fire Departments with ambulances... here are just the ones I found in Connecticut EMS Council Region #4:
Ashford Fire Department
Baltic Fire Engine Co. #1 | Baltic CT
Baltic Fire Engine Co. #1, Baltic, Connecticut. 847 likes · 27 talking about this · 12 were here. The Baltic Fire Engine Company #1 serves the Town of Sprague with fire suppression, rescue, forestry,...
www.facebook.com
Fire Department | colchesterct
Home | Columbiafire5
www.columbiafire5.org
Home | Community Volunteer Fire Department
The Community Volunteer Fire Department is a full-service agency that responds to all calls for service involving fires, medical emergencies, specialized rescue, hazardous materials, and citizen assists.
Town of Coventry Fire-EMS Department | Coventry, CT - Official Website
Read about the departments and associations that work to protect the town.
Electric Boat Fire Department - Groton
The Electric Boat Fire Department is an industrial fire department serving the General Dynamics - Electric Boat main facility in Groton City, Connecticut. Electric Boat is the source of the majority of the U.S. Navy's underwater capabilities, and handles most of the building at this facility...
Gardner Lake Volunteer Fire Company Inc | United States
Gardner Lake Volunteer Fire Company, Inc is a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Corporation providing emergency services to the Town of Salem and surrounding communities.
www.glvfc.com
Franklin Volunteer Fire Department | Franklin CT
Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department | Fire Department | Lebanon, CT, USA
www.lebanonfd.org
Volunteer Information | Mansfield, CT
Information about becoming a volunteer with the Town of Mansfield Fire & Emergency Services Department
HOME | Mortlake Fire Co
POQUETANUCK FIRE DEPARTMENT
We are located in the Town of Preston, Ct. We provide Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services for the Town of Preston, along with the Preston City Fire Department, and Paid staff from the...
Scotland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. | Scotland CT
Scotland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Scotland, Connecticut. 2,666 likes · 1 talking about this · 521 were here. The Scotland Volunteer Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical...
www.facebook.com
UConn Fire Department
The University of Connecticut's Fire Department is a professionally staffed department, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. UConn's Fire Department responds to approximately 5400 emergency calls each year between its two locations.
Willimantic Fire Fighters Local 1033 | Willimantic CT
Willimantic Fire Fighters Local 1033, Willimantic, Connecticut. 3,669 likes · 7 talking about this · 35 were here. The Official Page of Willimantic Fire Fighters Local 1033
www.facebook.com
Willington Fire Department #1 - Home
Willington Fire Department #1 providing Fire, Rescue, and EMS services to Willington, CT. Learn all about us here!
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Kavsuvb
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Outside of Hartford County where I live it's common but inside Hartford County, it's unheard of but I know Vol EMS is dying in Hartford County.There might not be many around Hartford, but statewide, there are many Connecticut Fire Departments with ambulances... here are just the ones I found in Connecticut EMS Council Region #4:
Ashford Fire Department
www.ashfordfire.org
Baltic Fire Engine Co. #1 | Baltic CT
Baltic Fire Engine Co. #1, Baltic, Connecticut. 847 likes · 27 talking about this · 12 were here. The Baltic Fire Engine Company #1 serves the Town of Sprague with fire suppression, rescue, forestry,...Fire Department | colchesterct
www.colchesterct.gov
Home | Columbiafire5
Home | Community Volunteer Fire Department
The Community Volunteer Fire Department is a full-service agency that responds to all calls for service involving fires, medical emergencies, specialized rescue, hazardous materials, and citizen assists.www.communityvfd.com
Town of Coventry Fire-EMS Department | Coventry, CT - Official Website
Read about the departments and associations that work to protect the town.www.coventry-ct.gov
Electric Boat Fire Department - Groton
The Electric Boat Fire Department is an industrial fire department serving the General Dynamics - Electric Boat main facility in Groton City, Connecticut. Electric Boat is the source of the majority of the U.S. Navy's underwater capabilities, and handles most of the building at this facility...fire.fandom.com
Gardner Lake Volunteer Fire Company Inc | United States
Gardner Lake Volunteer Fire Company, Inc is a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Corporation providing emergency services to the Town of Salem and surrounding communities.Franklin Volunteer Fire Department | Franklin CT
www.franklinct.gov
Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department | Fire Department | Lebanon, CT, USA
Volunteer Information | Mansfield, CT
Information about becoming a volunteer with the Town of Mansfield Fire & Emergency Services Departmentwww.mansfieldct.gov
HOME | Mortlake Fire Co
POQUETANUCK FIRE DEPARTMENT
We are located in the Town of Preston, Ct. We provide Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services for the Town of Preston, along with the Preston City Fire Department, and Paid staff from the...poquetanuckfd.com
Scotland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. | Scotland CT
Scotland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Scotland, Connecticut. 2,666 likes · 1 talking about this · 521 were here. The Scotland Volunteer Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical...UConn Fire Department
The University of Connecticut's Fire Department is a professionally staffed department, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. UConn's Fire Department responds to approximately 5400 emergency calls each year between its two locations.fire.universitysafety.uconn.edu
Willimantic Fire Fighters Local 1033 | Willimantic CT
Willimantic Fire Fighters Local 1033, Willimantic, Connecticut. 3,669 likes · 7 talking about this · 35 were here. The Official Page of Willimantic Fire Fighters Local 1033Willington Fire Department #1 - Home
Willington Fire Department #1 providing Fire, Rescue, and EMS services to Willington, CT. Learn all about us here!willingtonfire.org