Fire, Police Departments Join In Providing Paramedic Service
departments
EMS Operations
To an average tourist traveling expressways between Illinois and Indiana, Lansing, Ill., is a typical suburban community. Located 15 miles southeast of Chicago on the Illinois Indiana line with a population of approximately 33,000, it would seem to be similar to thousands of other small communities throughout this nation.
Yet in terms of emergency medical services, Lansing offers one of the most unique programs in existence. Its uniqueness is in the cooperation between the local fire and police departments. Both agencies have trained paramedics in the program and they operate in a tiered response approach to advance life support.
In studying the Lansing concept, it’s apparent they have combined four of the most critical areas in KMS to great success. They have provided solutions to alternative manpower for KMS, construction of KMS vehicles, KMS public relations, and a workable KMS funding program.
Best of both resources: This concept of a combined paramedic operation began in the spring of 1976 when the fire and police chiefs approached the Village Board for approval to upgrade their “call and haul” ambulance service to a fully involved advance life support system. They proposed to bridge the gulf between the traditional role protection of fire and police in an effort to provide the best of both resources for emergency patients.
To overcome the obstacle of available funds, a community-wide fund drive was quickly started. Kach family and business in the village was contacted, first by mail and then by a personal visit by a Lansing policeman or fire fighter, requesting donations to purchase the necessary advanced life support equipment. Within two and a half months, Lansing residents had contributed $105,000 for the purchase of three ALS vehicles.
The first of the KMT training of 34 police and fire volunteers was completed in June 1976. Then 15 police and fire personnel completed the paramedic training. The first paramedic unit went into service ahead of schedule on Dec. 16, 1976, and the other two became operational on Jan. 1, 1977. Lansing’s program has now been expanded to cover 25 paramedics, 35 KMTs and five paramedic training students composed of police and fire personnel. In addition, loosing personnel have conducted four more KMT classes, training over 100 KMTs for neighboring communities.
Koving paramedic teams: Lansing’s operational system is very effective. Two of the vehicles are manned by patrolmen/ paramedics. They are a virtual “medical patrol.” handling routine police calls while remaining available for any medical emergency 24 hours a day. This concept of a roving paramedic team has enabled Lansing to maintain an average response time of 2.6 minutes for over 4600 ambulance calls during the first three years of service. The third, and now fourth, vehicle in Lansing’s MICU system are housed in one of the village’s fire stations and respond to all critical-care emergencies. Fire paramedic personnel man these units to assist police paramedics with patient care. This includes all types of major emergencies—heart attack, stroke, trauma, etc.
Construction of KMS vehicles in Lansing originated from a need to have one unit available for nonemergency calls, such as transporting the elderly or bedridden to the hospital without interrupting essential emergency services. When the cost of a new ambulance proved to be a stumbling block, they purchased a stripped-down 1979 Chevrolet van for just over $7000 and proceeded to completely outfit it themselves—at a savings of over $10,000. They have also started to convert the two vehicles used by the police, at a savings of about $5000.
Besides the sharing of budgets, equipment and staff, the two departments adhere to an overall commitment to save lives—whether it be from fire, crime or failing health.
Training mandated: A village ordinance now mandates that every new police officer or fire fighter receive KMT training and paramedic certification within 18 months of entrance. The ordinance also requires that both remain as paramedics for a minimum of 10 years or until relieved by the fire or police chief. All radio personnel are also trained as paramedics or KMTs.
The cooperation between the two uniformed services and the community remains excellent. According to Police Sergeant Keith Smith, who doubles as the co-director of the Lansing paramedics, “we’re always referred to as the Lansing Paramedics. Its not your fire or police department that’s providing emergency medical services, but the paramedics.”
Police Chief Dean R. Stanley explained, “More than 80 percent of all police calls are service-oriented and not related to police functions in the traditional sense of preventing crime. A paramedic unit within a police department is well within the realm of responsibility of a police agency.”
Furthermore, the policing effort is not disturbed by the extra duties required by his men.
“Neither our police or fire protection has been hurt,” Stanley added.
Program expanded: The Lansing program has been expanded well beyond the basic life support concept. Since January 1977, over 1800 citizens have received CPR training. All faculty and staff of local schools are required to take the training. Each business must also select employees to receive this training.
The senior citizen health awareness program is another example of what can be accomplished. Every six months, Lansing paramedics visit the local senior citizen organizations and homes. Health care is reviewed and each senior citizen has blood pressure, EKG and vitals recorded in a packet that can be carried in a purse or wallet, including medications and medical history. When in need of EMS services, the senior citizen can provide this packet, which lists necessary medical information as well as a dated list of health information.
What Lansing has accomplished is unique but not impossible for others to achieve. Smith is more than willing to share the ideas of this program with other EMS agencies in return for other proven programs. He can be reached by writing: Keith Smith, Paramedic Coordinator, Lansing Paramedics, Lansing Police and Fire Departments, 3404 Lake St., Lansing, Ill. 60438.
This writer would like to hear about other EMS programs, problems or solutions. Contact Hugh M. Maguire, 6821 153rd, N.E., Redmond, Wash. 98052, or call 206-881-7726.
