Commissioner demands urgent reforms for ambulance response times

During a recent government meeting, concerns regarding ambulance response times and the performance of American Medical Response (AMR) were at the forefront of discussions. Commissioner [Name], who joined the commission in June 2023, expressed frustration over the ongoing delays in response times, particularly affecting residents in the eastern portions of the district. Despite the board renewing AMR's contract last year, the commissioner highlighted a lack of accountability and ineffective penalties that failed to incentivize improvements.

The commissioner noted that specific data on response times by geographic zones had only recently become available, revealing particularly troubling delays in North and East Portland and Gresham. This lack of transparency had previously obscured the severity of the issue, leading to heightened community frustration.

In response to these challenges, the commissioner supported changes to the ambulance service plan, which included waiving certain county staffing codes. This decision aims to increase the number of ambulances on the road, thereby improving response times and potentially enhancing patient outcomes. Additionally, the plan includes provisions for recruitment and retention incentives for paramedics, such as stipends and scholarships.

The commissioner also took a moment to acknowledge the hard work of EMTs and paramedics, emphasizing that they should not be blamed for systemic failures within the ambulance service. The meeting underscored a commitment to addressing these issues more swiftly in the future, with an expectation for ongoing evaluation and adjustments as necessary.

Commissioner Beeson, while acknowledging the difficulties in admitting past mistakes, noted that AMR had been compliant with its contract obligations at the time of its renewal. The discussions reflect a growing urgency to improve emergency medical services and ensure better outcomes for the community.