Alameda Fire Hosting Open House Introducing 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 pm at

Alameda City Hall Council Chambers (2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda CA). 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.

As Alameda Fire Chief Doug Long explained, “I believe that Community Paramedics will be an integral part of health care delivery in the future with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. I am confident that our pilot project will be a resounding success”.

The Community Paramedic services are free to those who qualify and enroll in the program. Since its implementation on June 1, 2015, the AFD Community Paramedics have enrolled over 30 community members into the program.

More information is available on the City’s website.

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