Alameda Fire Hosting Open House to Introduce Community Paramedic Program

Announcement submitted by Alameda Fire:

The Alameda Fire Department (AFD) is hosting an open house and media day to present its newly established Community Paramedic Program to the community. At this open house event, residents will learn about the program, along with how to access its services. The open house and media day will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015, 1:30 p.m. at Alameda City Hall Council Chambers (2263 Santa Clara Avenue in Alameda).

The Community Paramedic Program is a two-year, state and county funded pilot project aimed at addressing gaps that currently exist in the healthcare system. Alameda Fire is one of 13 agencies within the State that is analyzing the effectiveness of Community Paramedicine, a new and evolving model of community-based healthcare in which paramedics function outside their customary emergency response and transport roles.

The AFD Community Paramedic Program connects at-risk populations with appropriate resources in order to decrease reliance on emergency medical services as a primary source of healthcare. These populations include the elderly, the homeless, those with substance abuse problems, individuals who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness, and people without medical insurance. The result is improved services for those at risk and overall decreased healthcare costs.

Photo via Shutterstock