Paramedics on Apparatus
In an effort to improve response time to emergency medical aid requests, paramedics in Anaheim, Calif., now travel on apparatus rather than in modular vans. The number of paramedic squads was increased from three to five and assigned to apparatus last March.
Local ambulance personnel respond with each call, assisting paramedics rather than waiting until the patient is stabilized and ready for transport.
As a result of these changes, several costsaving benefits are also anticipated. Manpower will be reduced, and all but one existing medic van will be sold.
Anaheim was the first fire agency in the nation, in 1974, to have all fire fighters trained as emergency medical technicians. However, placing paramedics on apparatus is not a new concept in Orange County, since Fullerton and Santa Ana have similar programs.
