Esposito lists operational changes: PRUs, CRCC, borough commands
Esposito describes steps already taken, including paramedic response units, a centralized resource coordination center, and a borough-based command structure. He says these changes aim to get more ambulances into service and allow chiefs to tailor responses to local conditions.
We are also working internally with external partners to re-examine existing practices, streamline processes,
and eliminate inefficiencies.
We've already taken several steps to improve responses.
Paramedic response units.
We've set up PRUs to get additional paramedics into the field who can respond to patients faster to assess, provide treatment, and arrange transport.
The paramedic response unit brings paramedics to assignments classified as life-threatening.
However, if the assessment reveals that the patient does not require advanced life support, they are transferred to a basic life support unit, and the paramedics become available for the next high acuity assignment.
We currently have 14 of these units operating across the city.
The CRCC, we've created a centralized unit that assesses personnel across all divisions in real time with the aim of pairing up available members to get more ambulances into the field.
Our goal is to get as many units onto the street whenever possible to respond to calls and take the burden off of all the other units in the system.
The Borough-Based Command Structure.
Under this administration, EMS leadership has moved to a borough-based command structure.
This enables staff chiefs to provide more oversight over smaller areas so they can react quicker and more dynamically to evolving conditions in the field.
These chiefs develop better localized knowledge and are able to provide tailor-made solutions to operational issues rather than a one-size-fits-all solution that may not be appropriate for a given geographical area.
The Borough Resource Coordination Center.
This unit was created to be the eyes and ears of the borough, monitoring pertinent real-time information to prevent unnecessary off-service issues.
Ambulances cannot respond to calls when they are back in the station restocking medicine or equipment.
So this unit observes resource levels in order to proactively restock when it is most efficient.
This unit also monitors hospital trends and timing, communicating with hospital personnel to understand where delays are occurring and resolving issues as they arrive.