EMS reports stable call volume, new paramedics, NSF grant and a managed-alcohol case tied to sharp 911 reduction

Deputy Chief Saundra (Sandy) Tong presented the EMS and community paramedicine report on Aug. 9, citing steady call volumes, staff development and a new research grant.

Tong said the division averaged roughly 354 calls in July and that the department’s market share rose to about 80 percent (up from roughly 78 percent). She reported that seven providers completed a paramedic advancement academy and another paramedic academy began with five candidates (one dropped), and that an entrance exam produced approximately 88 candidates for future EMT and paramedic recruitment.

Tong said a joint National Science Foundation grant with San Jose State University appears to have been funded; the one-year project will start in September and will study moral injury and related effects on staff to inform training and equity-focused interventions.

On community case management, Tong described a 39-year-old man with alcohol use disorder who had 109 911 activations since 2020 and 36 activations in June 2023. After placement in a managed-alcohol program, his 911 activations fell to three during July — a 92 percent decrease, which Tong credited to coordinated outreach by EMS-6 and community paramedics. "So at this point, EMS 6 has been, you know, reaching out to him... finally were able to really pursue, getting him into managed alcohol program," Tong said.

Commissioners praised the hire of a new data analyst, Eugene See, and asked staff to prepare broader data reporting for the public when projects produce meaningful findings. No formal commission actions were taken on the EMS report.