Committee asks staff to compile data for possible ALS paramedic service after reports of long waits

The committee asked staff to gather historical response and ambulance-dispatch data to assess whether adding paramedic-level (ALS) capability is warranted and affordable.

Staff summarized the differences between ALS and BLS and argued ALS could improve outcomes on high-acuity calls. "Advanced life support... significantly does significantly better your odds for survival on a critical medical event," a staff presenter said, noting examples such as cardiac arrest and severe diabetic emergencies.

Committee members and staff emphasized the need for precise numbers before any policy steps: how many annual calls are ALS-level, transport and on-scene times, and how often the district waited extended periods for ambulance response. Staff suggested measures to raise funds (for example, a local $10-per-month measure) could both support paramedic staffing and revive a reserve program, but members warned that community appetite and long-term costs must be carefully analyzed.

Staff also noted regulatory and system constraints: the county EMS authority (EMSA) must approve provider changes and data-sharing with the contracted ambulance firm has been inconsistent, complicating quick assessments. Staff recommended a targeted feasibility study using ImageTrend and ECC dispatch cross-references to identify high-acuity incidents, quantify potential outcome differences, and model several funding scenarios. The committee directed staff to return with the requested data and a feasibility report before taking any funding or staffing action.