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Fire Department outlines EMS strategy, seeks alternatives to hospital transports
Summary
Assistant Deputy Chief Sandra Tong presented a multi-part EMS strategy focused on alternative response models, community paramedicine and data-driven staffing to reduce ambulance wait times and hospital diversions. Commissioners pressed for diversion and 'frequent user' data and urged clearer partnership with the Department of Public Health.
Assistant Deputy Chief Sandra Tong told the Fire Commission on July 10 that the San Francisco Fire Department is re-examining how it delivers pre-hospital care to reduce unnecessary hospital transports and strengthen surge capacity.
Tong said the EMS division is studying alternative response vehicles and staffing models, expanding hands-on training and clinical partnerships with hospitals, and developing a formal EMS strategic plan to prioritize staffing, funding requests and program implementation. She described pilots and programs—such as the QRVs (quick-response vehicles) and the EMS 6 outreach unit—that aim to divert low-acuity patients from emergency departments and to provide more patient-centered care in the field.
The pr…
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