Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Henderson County launches Community Paramedics Program to reduce repeat 911 use
Loading...
Summary
County EMS leaders described a Community Paramedics Program launched Jan. 12 to connect high utilizers to services; early results show 50 patient contacts, seven enrollments and examples of reduced 911 calls.
Emergency Services Director Jimmy Brissie and EMS Manager Mike Barnett told the Board that Henderson County launched a Community Paramedics Program on Jan. 12, 2026, to reduce high-frequency 911 use by connecting patients to services and follow-up care.
The program operates Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., and partners include Blue Ridge Community College, area hospitals, the Department of Social Services, Strategic Behavioral Health, law enforcement and local nonprofits. As of Feb. 12 the program had recorded 50 patient contacts, seven patients currently enrolled, four successfully completed the program and six pending enrollments.
Staff shared case examples: an elderly, medically fragile patient with eight 911 calls in the month before a Community Paramedic visit subsequently had only one 911 call in the 27 days that followed after linkage to VA services; another high-frequency caller who had 10 calls in a month was connected to care and later placed in a facility for further treatment. Program leaders said these early outcomes illustrate the program’s intent to reduce avoidable emergency responses and improve continuity of care.
The Board heard the statistical update and did not take separate action; staff will continue enrollment and partner coordination.