Q&A
Council Member Ariola questions FDNY on 911 call reduction and ambulance staffing
0:53:19
·
118 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola questions FDNY Chief Michael Fields about efforts to reduce unnecessary 911 calls and staffing requirements for different types of ambulances. Fields discusses ongoing outreach campaigns and explains the current staffing model for Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances.
- FDNY is developing public service announcements to educate the public on appropriate 911 use
- 911 dispatchers currently do not advise callers on alternative care options for non-emergency situations
- FDNY typically staffs ALS ambulances with two paramedics, but can adjust in extreme circumstances
Joann Ariola
0:53:19
I have just a couple of questions before I defer to chair Narcis.
0:53:22
Has the city done?
0:53:23
You mentioned about outreach.
0:53:25
Has they have they done any outreach campaigns that would reduce unnecessary 911 calls?
Michael Fields
0:53:31
So we're we're in the process of doing that now.
0:53:33
We are placing together videos.
0:53:35
We were working with the deputy mayor of public safety in respect to that.
0:53:39
So we're in the process.
0:53:40
We're hoping that next year, we should have PSA announcements being pushed out to the public.
Joann Ariola
0:53:46
Okay.
0:53:47
And does dispatch, you know, respond when when dispatch gets a call, or do they educate or inform a patient when a person says perhaps I have an earache can they make the call that says, well, that's not really an ambulance response call, perhaps you should see go to your local hospital or to your local doctor.
0:54:09
Do they make that call?
Michael Fields
0:54:10
Currently, no, we do not do
UNKNOWN
0:54:11
that.
0:54:13
Okay.
Joann Ariola
0:54:15
Can you explain why there are different staffing requirements for ALS versus BLS ambulances?
0:54:21
And does the FDMI believe ALS ambulances need 2 paramedics?
Michael Fields
0:54:29
Historically, the FDNY runs ALS analysis with 2 paramedics.
0:54:35
That's the way that we operate in this particular region within the 911 system.
0:54:40
If there was a disaster pandemic at pandemic.
0:54:44
We are we have parts inside of our operations that would allow us to work as the menzomatic, which is 1 AMT and a paramedic.
0:54:55
Those are in in extreme circumstances.
0:54:58
We would do that.
0:55:00
That would be based off severe staffing issues.
Joann Ariola
0:55:03
Alright.
0:55:04
And I just want to be clear that I think the more in the the ambulance, more personnel in the ambulance, the better, better for the person and better for the people who are working there.
0:55:14
I now yield to chair nurses.
