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Fire chief outlines EMS improvements and telehealth pilot to reduce low-acuity transports
Summary
Fire Chief Brett reported improved EMS response times and outlined a telehealth/patient-navigation pilot intended to reduce unnecessary emergency department transports for low-acuity calls.
Fire Chief Brett told the council the department has expanded mutual aid with neighboring jurisdictions and is piloting telehealth tools to allow patient navigation on low-acuity calls, so some patients can consult a physician remotely rather than being transported. He stressed the service will not replace emergency response but augment options for those who qualify.
Chief Brett cited response-time metrics: "That's our average from the minute we receive a dispatch until we're our own seeing with the patient. That is 0.66 above the national average... and we're very proud of that." Council members praised the improvement and the department's outreach work to caregivers in the community.
