Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the EMS topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EMS reports: powered gurneys, expanded academy and community paramedicine gains
Summary
Deputy Chief Sandra Tong told commissioners EMS expanded training, added 12 EMTs, introduced powered gurneys that will change operations, and saw a 25% drop in Narcan administrations in June; community paramedicine cohorts achieved a 100% pass rate on the IBSC exam.
The San Francisco Fire Department’s EMS division reported equipment upgrades, training expansions and shifts in field care during its May–June update to the Fire Commission.
Deputy Chief Sandra Tong welcomed new assistant deputy chief Anthony (Tony) Malloy and announced that 12 new EMTs graduated in June after an expanded 12‑week academy (up from eight weeks). Tong said the department hopes the longer academy better prepares recruits for field work.
Tong described a new powered gurney the division is rolling into type‑1 ambulances to reduce lifting injuries. She cautioned the device is heavier (the empty gurney was described as about 250 pounds) and will require adjustments to extrication procedures, additional personnel in some spaces and further training before a full fleet rollout.
The community paramedicine program graduated cohort 6 and posted a 100% pass rate on the IBSC certification, the division said. Tong also reported a roughly 25% reduction in Naloxone (Narcan) administrations in June and a decline in buprenorphine starts in the field; staff will investigate whether the trend reflects public availability of naloxone or other factors and will develop refresher training on field buprenorphine administration.
Tong and commissioners praised EMT Frank Kaner, who was recognized during EMS Week for saving a person attempting suicide outside UCSF.
The commission asked for follow‑up materials including a legend for the SORT/POET workflow chart and additional detail about powered gurney training and staffing adjustments.
