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REMSA tells commissioners it responds to 250,000 calls yearly; highlights community services and staffing supports
Summary
REMSA representatives gave an operational update describing regional EMS dispatch, uncompensated care and investments in equipment and workforce supports. Commissioners asked about workforce mental-health supports and technology upgrades.
REMSA Health (REMSA) presented a detailed operational update to the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 14, describing emergency medical dispatch volumes, community programs and investments in equipment and staff.
Barry Duplantis, REMSA’s presenter, said the region’s community EMS organization receives roughly 250,000 calls into its communications center each year, dispatches ambulances to about 95,000 calls and transports roughly 65,000 patients to area hospitals. He emphasized that REMSA provides care on-scene when transportation is unnecessary and that the organization absorbs the cost of many non-transport responses. Duplantis said uncompensated care and non-transport care amount to multimillion-dollar community investments — figures he placed in the millions for labors of care and equipment purchases.
Duplantis described REMSA as a community-owned, nonprofit provider that reinvests revenue locally and uses predictive analytics to post ambulances in locations where calls are most likely to originate. He also detailed outreach work including car-seat installations, CPR training and integrated health efforts to reduce unnecessary transports by treating lower-acuity needs in the community.
Commissioners asked about workforce mental-health supports and long-term challenges. Commissioner Garcia pressed on REMSA’s programs for staff mental-health and peer support; Duplantis said REMSA offers an onboard clinician available 24/7 and formal peer-support structures for employees. Commissioner Andriola (sic) and others asked about the timelines and operational impacts of the region’s pending hexagon CAD system upgrade; REMSA said a February go-live date was anticipated.
Commissioners and REMSA officials discussed fiscal pressures from changing access to health care and the potential for increased call volume if more residents lack regular medical care. Duplantis said REMSA receives no federal appropriations that would be disrupted by federal shutdowns and described REMSA’s business model as fee-for-service and reinvestment-focused.
Commissioners thanked REMSA for the presentation and several expressed interest in riding along with REMSA crews to better understand operational conditions and staffing needs.
