Medford Fire Launches Innovative EMS Squad Program

Published on October 18, 2023

The Medford Fire Department launched the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Squad Program earlier this week. This innovative program, which includes a two-person crew, addresses the growing demand for medical and good intent calls through a cost-effective solution that increases engine availability for critical needs while improving overall EMS system reliability.

“With over 83% of calls for service being good intent calls, it has become essential to enhance our response capabilities and reduce wait times for our residents,” said Fire Chief, Eric Thompson. "We are dedicated to improving our emergency medical services and ensuring that our community receives the care they need in a timely and efficient manner. The EMS Squad Program is a testament to our commitment to serving our residents effectively."

Key features of the EMS Squad Program include:

1. Cost-Effective Solution: The program provides a cost-effective solution to meet the rising demand for emergency medical services while managing operational expenses efficiently.
   
   
2. Increased Engine Availability: By deploying specialized EMS squad for medical and good intent calls, engine companies can focus on higher acuity calls, making them more readily available for critical needs.
   
   
3. Matching the Right Resource to the Call Type: The program ensures that the appropriate resources are dispatched to each call, improving the overall quality of service provided to our community.
   
   
4. Improved EMS System Reliability: With a dedicated EMS squad, we aim to enhance the reliability and consistency of our emergency medical services, ensuring that residents receive the care they need when they need it.
   
   
5. Reduced Wait Probability: Overlapping medical and good intent calls can result in a wait probability of 8%-12% during the day. The EMS squad will significantly decrease wait times and address this issue, offering faster response times to our residents.

The need for this program was identified in the Council-approved Fire Strategic Plan, a comprehensive roadmap designed to enhance fire services and community safety.