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New Castle County EMS reports staffing gaps and adopts 'cold' response for many Charlie calls
Summary
Assistant Chief Kelly Star Leach reported 24 paramedic vacancies (authorized strength 159, current 135), highlighted a 40% Utstein cardiac arrest survival rate and a field whole‑blood program with 300+ units given since May 2023, and described a Nov. 20 policy shifting paramedic responses to many 'Charlie' calls to non‑lights/sirens 'cold' response to reduce crash risk while allowing upgrades when needed.
Kelly Star Leach, assistant chief of operations for New Castle County EMS, presented a system update to the council, reporting current paramedic staffing of 135 of an authorized 159 (24 vacancies) and describing ongoing academy recruitment to close the gap.
Leach summarized workforce trends: over the past six years the county certified 62 paramedics and lost 54 to resignations and retirements, yielding a net gain of eight certified paramedics in that period. She said the department is running overlapping academies and planning additional cohorts through DelTech (capacity 12) and Good Fellowship Academy to address vacancies.
Leach highlighted clinical and program outcomes. New Castle County’s Utstein cardiac arrest survival rate…
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