Ground Ambulance Program
- Establishment Process
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The process to establish the ground ambulance program began with an application submitted on March 29, 2022, followed by reviews and additional information requests. A recommendation for a Certificate of Necessity (CON) was made on February 12, 2024, with approval confirmed in April 2024. The city currently has four ambulances, with preparations for program implementation ready for execution. Scottsdale Fire anticipates the first transported patient in January 2025.
- Benefits of a City-Run Ground Ambulance Program
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Establishing a City-run ground ambulance program in Scottsdale offers numerous benefits over private third-party services. The program is an extension of the city's existing business practices, emphasizing a "We Care for You" philosophy that ensures continuity of care from emergency response to definitive care. This continuity helps reduce information pinch points, ensuring that relevant information is conveyed to receiving facilities. Scottsdale Fire Department (SFD) crews work the same shift schedules, allowing them to build relationships and cohesiveness, which enhances their proficiency and efficiency in emergencies. The SFD Medical Director actively participates in training and quality assurance, bringing a high level of organizational accountability.
The program also reduces turnover and attrition compared to private services, leading to lower training costs and increased skill development over the firefighters' careers. Additionally, the program increases available personnel for critical medical calls and hazardous responses, ensuring a seamless, customer-focused experience and timely completion of tasks. It also provides equitable accounting for EMS costs and enhances response reliability and transportation capability. As a municipal provider, the program prioritizes compassionate and proficient care without the burden of profitability considerations.
- Impact on Fire Department's Emergency Response
- The establishment of the ground ambulance program will not impact the fire department's ability to respond to fire-related emergencies. The program is designed to complement existing services, maintaining the department's capacity to respond effectively to all emergencies, including fires.
- Staffing and Training
- The ambulances will be staffed by highly-trained emergency medical professionals, including paramedics and EMTs, who undergo rigorous training to meet high standards of care.
- Costs to Residents
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Residents will not incur additional costs for emergency response care on the scene. Costs are incurred only when a patient is transported, with fees approved by AZDHS as part of SFD’s CON application. The "All Inclusive Rate" simplifies billing, charging only a "Base Rate" and "Mileage" without additional charges for supplies. Scottsdale Fire coordinates patient billing through a third-party company, EMS|MC, which handles insurance benefits and claim processing. If a patient does not have health benefits through an insurance policy, patients will be billed for the transportation services provided during their care.
- Coordination with Healthcare Facilities
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Scottsdale Fire actively collaborates with local healthcare facilities to establish effective communication and coordination protocols, ensuring seamless integration with the broader healthcare system. The department is committed to maintaining high standards of care through ongoing training, equipment maintenance, and compliance with relevant regulations.
- Operational Plan
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The operational plan for the program involves a partnership with Maricopa Ambulance and will be implemented in three phases:
- Phase 1: FS602, FS608, FS615
- Phase 2: FS601, FS606, FS611
- Phase 3: FS602, FS603, FS614
The program anticipates handling 29,000 medical calls annually, with increasing numbers of transports in each phase. Phase I expects 6,000 transports, Phase II anticipates 12,000 transports, and Phase III projects 18,000+ transports.
- Hiring and Training Timeline
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New firefighters are expected to be hired by mid-July 2024 from the current eligibility list, with academy training starting in early August or September. Recruitment and job postings for a new hire list will begin in September 2024. The ground ambulance program is projected to start running calls in mid-December 2024 or early January 2025, depending on the initiation of academy training for new personnel.