On Jan. 5, the Regional Emergency Medical Service Authority (REMSA Health) and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) announced a partnership aimed at enhancing emergency services for the Northern Nevada region.
The partnership comes as a response to Washoe County’s “rapid expansion and growth and the need to provide innovative solutions to emergency medical response,” according to a press release.
On Dec. 15, REMSA Health’s Emergency Communication Center began receiving emergency calls from residents in unincorporated areas of Washoe County that require fire response. Previously, calls were dispatched by Washoe County.
According to the release, combined dispatch services “will significantly reduce costs to TMFPD,’ thereby saving taxpayer dollars. A REMSA Health dispatcher, who is fully trained and certified in Emergency Fire Dispatch will be dedicated to fire dispatching, 24/7 for TMFPD.
“As an internationally accredited dispatch center, REMSA Health is committed to dispatch excellence,” Aaron Abbott, Executive Director of EMS Operations for REMSA Health, said in a statement. “REMSA Health is pleased to be working closely with Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District to ensure we are both caring for the Washoe County citizens efficiently, safely and compassionately.”
According to REMSA, roughly 90 percent of TMFPD’s responses to incidents are medically related and, in most cases, TMFPD and REMSA Health respond jointly. The agreement allows both agencies the same access to patient information and can respond more efficiently.
“We want to thank our Washoe County Dispatchers for their hard work and service to Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, and for their continued service to County residents,” Alex Kukulus, Deputy Fire Chief for TMFPD, said in a statement. “Given the growth and exponential increase in medically related calls, our new partnership with REMSA Health will allow us to provide a higher level of service and response.”
The partnership comes a after TMFPD became a partner in September under the REMSA Health franchise in providing medical coverage to several communities, including Washoe Valley, Sun Valley and Spanish Springs.
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