SFD changing EMS response procedures to health care facilities

The Spokane Fire Department will be holding a meeting for health care providers to explain upcoming changes in the Emergency Medical Response system to health care facilities.

Due to the on-going rate of call volume growth, we continue to evaluate our responses to incidents to determine if there are incident types where SFD resources may not be needed. Our review of EMS incidents has reaffirmed that there is a duplication of resources, from the Fire Department and AMR, to calls made directly to AMR for “medical transport only”.

Historically, we have heard feedback from some facilities that for a “transport only” call, a response of SFD was not necessary. Traditionally, the County EMS Medical Director has required that the 9-1-1 EMS response system be activated for these calls, necessitating the response of both SFD and AMR resources. However, with the number of EMS incidents in the community escalating, thus causing an increased response time on calls due to lack of availability of SFD units, the Medical Director has authorized discontinuance of the 9-1-1 EMS system activation for these “transport only” calls.

Beginning Monday, February 2, 2009 on any “transport only” call made directly to AMR, SFD may not respond resources depending on the information health care facilities provide to AMR at the time of the call. If it is clear that the facility has assessed the patient, can provide the necessary level of care for the patient until arrival of an AMR unit, and only are requesting patient transport to the hospital, AMR will respond alone to the call. If AMR dispatchers interpret through medical interrogation, that such is not the case or that they are not able to respond in a timely manner the 9-1-1 EMS response system will be utilized and SFD resources will supplement the AMR response.

Please know that SFD Companies will continue to be available if AMR needs emergency assistance on ANY of these requests. Additionally, this change in response to “transport only calls” should not change health care facilities procedure of directly calling 9-1-1 when they have a medical emergency. SFD will still be responding on the “Emergent Calls” at health care facilities which are initiated through a 9-1-1 call or deemed by AMR to be emergent.

The Spokane Fire Department will hold a meeting for interested health care providers on January 14th at 1:30 pm to better explain our services, answer questions and allow a more formal introduction to the SFD. AMR will also have representatives at the session. The session will be held in the Auditorium at the SFD Training Building located at 1618 N. Rebecca just east of the SCC campus.

Questions about this procedure change may be directed to Rich Kness, EMS Division Chief at (509) 625-7090.