After reading this, I reflected on some of the work been and still being done in South Australia. Has the commette thought of using volunteer EMT staff at some stations that work with other fire fighters. Volunteer staff could assist in gap BLS services allowing time for ALS intervention services to arrive. Having volunteer staff also brings in a new pool of personel should services need upgrading. While this would be a short tern fix, it would provide coverage.

I understand that I have this prospective from overseas and thought it worth a note.

Garry Powell (ARMET-I)
EMT Ambulance SA
info@emt.org.au

How about shutting down fire suppression units? I bet those slow ambulances run more in a year than the busiest fire engine runs in a year not counting medical aid calls for the engine (if the patient isnt on fire, theres no need for an engine anyways).

Sub it out to a private ALS provider. Wont cost the city a single dime and service remains the same.

Lots of studies show that basic life support with defib. in a timely manner is the critical factor in saving lives (cardiac) This is followed closely by rapid transport in critical trauma cases. Paramedic support, while very important, is not on the critical path in most life-threatening pre-hospital encounters. Beef up the first response and sub-contract the ambulance service into the private sector. Better patient care. May even save money for the tax payer.