Lexington County putting more ambulances out in peak periods

More ambulances will be on the road in Lexington County in coming months during peak periods of calls.

As many as 20 ambulances will be rolling between noon and 9 p.m.– an increase of seven – to allow faster response as calls for assistance grow.

“If we’re going to have meaningful change to response times, it’s going to be putting more trucks on the road during those times,” county Emergency Medical Services Director Brian Hood said.

EMS staff is falling short of accomplishing its goal of reaching the scene within 12 minutes for 90 percent of calls.

It achieves that goal in two-thirds of calls, according to a report submitted to County Council in May.

The change in ambulance deployment around the 758-square-mile county comes after EMS officials analyzed when the most demands for help occurs.

It follows the addition of 10 paramedics to help keep ambulances ready when other staff is sick, on vacation or in training.

Council members approved the new ambulance arrangement last week after being told it should not only improve service but reduce overtime and paramedic burnout.

“What we’ve always done isn’t working,” County Administrator Joe Mergo said.

The change will be phased in, with it fully in place by mid-2017.

A go-slow approach will measure the success of the change as well as allow the 129 paramedics time to adjust to staggered work shifts that it will require, officials said.

The change means as few as 11 ambulances – two fewer than now – will be on the road overnight.

But that seems adequate to handle demand then, Hood said.

The change also may be extended to 91l staff who handle calls for ambulances, deputies, firefighters and other emergency help.

“It would be arraying your forces when they’re needed most,” county Public Safety Director David Kerr said.