09-19-11 Draft Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—SEPTEMBER 19,2011 5 Tim Boehlke explained that AIlina, including Dr Lick, is the medical director for LJFD and they M provide all the EMS in-house training along with the initial training for new firefighters. He explained that as well as cardiac arrest calls there are a lot of calls for advanced life support. Councilmember Holmes asked what vehicle LJFD uses to respond to such calls. Tim Boehlke explained that there are two LJFD stations staffed; the first station would respond to a medical call in a utility-type vehicle and if there is an additional medical call, the other station will respond in a ladder truck. He stated that their focus is fire calls and it's very rare that LJFD is out on a medical call when a fire call comes in. He added that since the Sheriff and AMT will be responding, if LJFD gets a fire call, their units will cancel off the EMS call and advise the dispatcher. He concurred with Mr. Dascalos' comment that responding to EMS calls is very much a team effort; they work closely on a daily basis and have an excellent relationship; everyone plays a role. Getting the right first responders to the scene to determine the level of emergency makes it possible to slow units down or release units and get them back in service. He also pointed out that statistically people are bigger than they've ever been and having sufficient manpower there can be beneficial to getting a large patient loaded in an ambulance,. Kevin Miller stated that only AMT staff members are authorized to drive AMT vehicles, so when a patient is critical, they take a firefighter with them to help manage the patient on the way to the hospital. He added that they even though they have a fairly good idea of the emergency based on the information provided by dispatch, they "don't know what they don't know"until they actually • get to the patient. He also stated that there are occasions when the patient is extremely large so having the extra personnel on hand is helpful. Mayor Grant asked what percentage of their calls is from Presbyterian Homes. Mark Dascalos stated approximately 20% of their calls are from extended care facilities. He explained that they work with Presbyterian Homes staff to educate them in emergency procedures. He added that if the call is an emergency situation, they will bring in the Sheriff and LJFD, but they try not to ask for their support unless it's absolutely necessary. Kevin Miller explained that they work with Presbyterian Homes and other extended care facilities to identify those patients who have a medical directive so that a 911 call isn't necessary. Dr. Lick explained that the nursing homes try to limit the emergency calls because it is upsetting to their residents and the staff when an ambulance arrives. William Snoke explained it can take up to six hours to get the extended care operation back on track after the disruption caused by the arrival of an ambulance. Mayor Grant commented that Presbyterian Homes is undergoing a major construction project which will continue over the next four years. He encouraged AMT to keep in contact with them because their entrances and exits may change. Councilmember Holmes stated one of their biggest concerns is that over 50% of the LJFD calls are to medical emergencies.