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Ambulance service: 131 calls in January, average response about six minutes; mutual-aid spikes highlighted
Summary
Staff reported 131 EMS calls in January with an average response time near six minutes, 17 non-transports and multiple paramedic intercepts; commissioners heard that clustered second/third calls have been unusual and sometimes strain resources.
Department staff reported 131 ambulance calls for January with an average response time "about six minutes," 17 ambulance non-transports and six paramedic intercepts to neighboring municipalities.
Why it matters: The commission heard that clustered calls (multiple calls arriving in a short window) have created staffing and transport challenges. Staff said one date in early January produced four calls in roughly 12 minutes, requiring creative first-responder staffing to provide first response even when transport was not possible.
Details: Chief Debore and staff said response-time reporting will shift next month to emphasize time of page to time on scene and provide trendable metrics rather than large numbers of individual time intervals. Staff explained how full-time payroll is apportioned between fire and EMS: a formula factoring call statistics and station duties provided an estimate (example cited ~"$65.35" toward EMS for a full-time position, as illustrative of the allocation), while part-time payroll can be separated more directly.
Mutual aid and intercepts: Mutual-aid calls and paramedic intercepts reflected regional staffing variations. Staff noted Fredonia's paramedic staffing and referendum impacts may make intercepts and reimbursements variable through the year; reimbursements are possible on transports.
Commissioners asked about clustered calls and staffing. Debore said when third and fourth calls come in close together the department cannot staff multiple transport units, so first response may be provided without transport on some incidents.
Ending: Staff will continue to track data and provide revised metrics next month, focusing on page-to-scene times and trend comparisons rather than the longer list of interval statistics.
