The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians recently hosted a compelling webinar, “Data-driven deployment decisions: Using YOUR data for effective EMS system redesign.” Facilitated by Matt Zavadsky, EMS/mobile healthcare consultant at PWW Advisory Group and executive director of AIMHI, the webinar brought together an impressive panel of EMS leaders to share their experiences and insights on leveraging data to enhance EMS response systems.
The evolution of EMS systems
Many EMS systems evolved over time without a clear, data-driven design. The panel explored how transformative EMS systems in cities like Colorado Springs, Richmond and Sacramento have successfully redesigned their systems using evidence-based practices. The goal: improve patient care, optimize operations, enhance clinician satisfaction and reduce costs.
About the speakers
Panelists included:
- Carrick Patterson, medical division chief, Colorado Springs Fire Department
- Jim Webber, system analyst, Colorado Springs Fire Department
- Dr. Kevin Mackey, medical director, Sacramento Fire Department
- David Charron, assistant chief, Sacramento Fire Department
- Dr. Joseph P. Ornato, medical director, Richmond Ambulance Authority
- Ryan Martinette, chief operating officer, Richmond Ambulance Authority
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Themes included the following steps taken by the contributing agencies.
Data as a catalyst for change
The panelists unanimously agreed that data must guide decision-making in modern EMS systems. Jim Webber detailed Colorado Springs’ journey from a reactive response model to a tiered, multi-directional approach. Through robust data analysis, they introduced alternative response programs like the Community Response Teams (CRT) and the Community Medical Response (C-MED) program to keep advanced resources available for critical emergencies.
Dr. Mackey from Sacramento echoed this sentiment, describing how call volume stress and high Naloxone usage led to the implementation of a tiered response model. This approach prioritized paramedic availability for high-acuity calls while using EMTs and BLS resources for lower-priority cases.
Innovative staffing models
Facing staffing shortages, agencies had to rethink traditional deployment models. Richmond Ambulance Authority, a high-performance EMS system and member of the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI) introduced EMT-led responses for low-acuity calls and supported staff development through an in-house cadet program. “Since starting our EMT cadet program, we’ve graduated 55 individuals, who’ve collectively handled over 60,000 calls,” shared COO Ryan Martinette.
Sacramento followed suit by hiring paramedics and EMT-only staff to maintain service levels while reducing firefighter reliance. The city also partnered with Medic Ambulance to bolster BLS transport capabilities.
The power of tiered response systems
The data-backed adoption of tiered response systems emerged as a central theme. Dr. Ornato referenced the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium study, which analyzed 35,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Findings demonstrated that BLS-first responses followed by ALS arrival within 6 minutes significantly improved survival rates.
Community engagement and internal buy-in
System redesigns demand stakeholder engagement. Sacramento engaged city officials, firefighters, and the public through targeted outreach and community meetings. “Data wins the day,” noted Dr. Mackey, emphasizing the importance of transparency and consistency in presenting findings.
Richmond Ambulance Authority prioritized community relations by attending local events and collaborating with city council members. Martinette highlighted the importance of converting satisfied patients into EMS advocates.
Challenges and lessons learned
- Data overload: Richmond faced “analysis paralysis” when confronted with vast amounts of data. The solution? Ground-level validation of findings to ensure operational relevance.
- Staffing shortages: Sacramento and Richmond implemented EMT-specific roles and developed internal training programs to address workforce challenges.
- Community information: Colorado Springs proactively engaged the public and city leaders to build trust and manage expectations.
Takeaways for EMS agencies
- Leverage data, not tradition: Use evidence-based insights to challenge assumptions and guide decision-making.
- Adopt tiered responses: Prioritize advanced resources for critical cases and deploy EMTs for low-acuity calls.
- Invest in workforce development: Build internal education pipelines to address staffing shortages.
- Engage stakeholders early: Communicate changes to both the public and internal teams for smoother implementation.
- Monitor and adapt: Continuously review performance metrics to fine-tune response models.
The benefits of leaning into analytics
The evolution from legacy models to data-driven EMS systems is both necessary and achievable. As demonstrated by Colorado Springs, Richmond and Sacramento, integrating analytics into decision-making enhances patient outcomes, supports personnel and ensures sustainable operations. The shared experiences from these pioneering agencies serve as a blueprint for others seeking to modernize and optimize their EMS systems.
For agencies considering similar transformations, the message from the panel was clear: trust the data, support your team, and stay connected to your community’s needs.
