The Sunnyvale Sun
News
Sunnyvale looks at 'outsourcing' paramedics at fire stations
By Cody Kraatz
The city of Sunnyvale may station American Medical Response paramedics at six fire stations throughout the city to increase the level of medical assistance first responders can provide.
The paramedics would live at fire stations and ride on engines with Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety officers, who are trained both in firefighting and law enforcement.
The deal is still in very early stages of consideration. It could save the city money, but the Public Safety Officers Association has raised concerns.
"It's a pilot at this point," said Marcie Morrow, an AMR spokeswoman. "We've done a lot of research, and we think it's a really excellent opportunity to improve this private-public partnership and increase the level of service for the residents of Sunnyvale."
The PSOA has recommended adding more Quick Response Vehicles.
AMR now stations one at DPS headquarters and one at Fire Station No. 2 at Wolfe Road and Arques Avenue. The Ford Expeditions are equipped with flashing lights and all the equipment a paramedic needs as a first responder.
Paramedics are trained and equipped for advanced life support. DPS firefighters are emergency medical technicians and can stop bleeding, perform CPR and administer oxygen, while paramedics use breathing tubes, IVs and medications and have EKGs to monitor heart rates.
Other cities have their own paramedics on fire engines, and Sunnyvale would like to provide that service. The cost to train firefighters to be paramedics, as neighboring Santa Clara has done, can be high, and having AMR provide the service would save personnel costs.
The six-month paramedic training program costs $10,000 to $12,000 per firefighter, plus costs to maintain training and certification.
"We're not asking for that. We know that the cost to the city would be astronomical," said Lt. Shawn Ahearn, president of the PSOA. "We as an association...are not against improving advanced life support for the city...but we want to do it in a way that does not create even bigger problems."
One concern is that officers have police weapons with them in the fire stations.
"It's not saying we don't trust AMR-type people, but you've got a situation where you don't have the best security and control of your weapons," said Ahearn.
Other concerns were supervision when discipline is needed, background checks, fill-ins when a paramedic is sick and having paramedics arriving at a fire scene without knowing their role there. He also cited the potential of shorthanded fire stations if the only paramedic goes out and another station has to send out its only paramedic, and so on.
Expanded QRVs
The PSOA recommends the city and AMR add two more QRVs for better coverage and flexibility, rather than changing the fire station environment.
Morrow said AMR does not see a problem because paramedics already share eating and common space with fire crews at stations, sleeping in modular buildings. An ambulance crew has been at Fire Station No. 1 for about 20 years without a problem, but has separate living quarters.
"There's a pretty peaceful existence," she said.
The proposal came up at an Aug. 9 forum for city council candidates, sponsored by city employees, including the PSOA.
Several of the candidates said "outsourcing" should be avoided for the purpose of cutting costs, but if it provides an equal or better service it should be considered.
Dave Whittum, challenging incumbent Dean Chu for seat 4 in November, said he was surprised this proposal was considered; the other candidates in attendance opposed it. Pat Meyering, opposing incumbent Melinda Hamilton for seat 7, was hesitant, but he said he would consider how much savings it would entail.
Eighteen paramedics would cover shifts at six Sunnyvale fire stations, and Morrow said it would be a great training opportunity for those considering a career as a firefighter. AMR would pay the benefits and salary for the paramedics. It supports itself through insurance and private payments for ambulance services and a contract with Santa Clara County.
