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Operations report highlights high-volume rescues, frequent‑caller data and strain on community paramedic staffing
Summary
Deputy Chief Brian Rubinstein and Assistant Deputy Chief Sandy Tong described a month of frequent rescues (cliff and surf incidents), ongoing EMS decontamination practices, and a community paramedic program stretched thin; staff noted 17% of EMS calls include repeat callers and unique frequent utilizers make up 6.5% of call volume.
Deputy Chief Brian Rubinstein told the commission that the department maintained extensive training and rescue operations during February, including cliff and surf rescues that required helicopters and Stokes‑basket evacuations. "We rescue people virtually every day in these circumstances," Rubinstein said, and he showed video examples of difficult cliff and aircraft responses to illustrate the workload.
Assistant Deputy Chief Sandy Tong explained that community paramedic staffing is at a critical point. Tong said the program recently trained roughly 20 community paramedics and has another class of 19 finishing now, but administrative support is insufficient and some staff are out on long‑term disability. "That total number is just barely able to manage all of the increased, staffing issues that we have had," Tong said, noting the department is pursuing a three‑year geriatric care grant with UC to expand aftercare services and stabilize staffing.
Commissioners also asked about the departments frequent‑caller statistics. Tong clarified an important distinction: the 17% figure in the operations packet counts multiple calls (one individual can call repeatedly), while unique frequent utilizers constitute about 6.5% of monthly EMS call volume. "If we're just talking about individuals who are, compose the total number of 9 1 1 calls, then that would be that 6.5%," Tong said.
Commissioners raised concerns about the operational and budgetary implications of repeated high‑volume responses (for example, encampment fires and cliff rescues) and asked whether the department pursues reimbursement for rescue costs in some cases. Rubinstein said billing is complex and cautioned that charging for EMS could deter calls from residents in need.
The commission heard no formal motions on operations; several commissioners urged staff to continue pursuing grants and to provide follow‑up details on the proposed geriatric care grant and unit staffing levels.
