DC considering Uber for low-priority EMS 911 calls — This is not a Jimmy Kimmel bit!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyeJE2vMSLE
Having already brought in a private ambulance service to help with the transport of some low priority calls, DC Fire & EMS Department Chief Gregory Dean is now considering using Uber or a similar service. As Washington Post reporter Aaron C. Davis points out this may not be an original idea (see the video above).
In addition, WRC-TV/NBC 4 reporter Mark Segraves says the department is also considering adding nurses to the 911 center.
Engine 30 @dcfireems is 4th busiest fire engine in USA. Now Chief is considering @Uber like service for transports pic.twitter.com/KeEqA5vpVS
— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) July 11, 2016
D.C FEMS Chief Gregory Dean told News4 on Monday that the department and other D.C. officials are considering adding nurses to the 911 call center to evaluate medical needs and using vehicles other than ambulances to transport people who need to go to a doctor’s office — but not to an emergency room.
.@dcfireems Chief considering staffing 911 call center with nurses to determine if medical calls need hospital care. pic.twitter.com/hDw8UCBz0p
— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) July 11, 2016
“We are working with the health department to find other ways to transport people, such as using a contract taxi cab or Uber,” he said. “We are trying to find creative ways to try to reduce the strain on the system.”
Dean spoke as Engine 30 — located on 49th Street NE, just east of the Benning Road Metro station — was ranked by Firehouse Magazine as the fourth busiest in the nation.
One engine alone handled more than 7,600 calls last year. On average, that’s about 20 calls per day.
Chief @dcfireems: by next year DC could use private taxi service to transport 911 patients to clinics rather than ambulances to hospitals
— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) July 11, 2016
Survey shows area fire depts are busy: #1:NYC
#8. D.C. #16. PG #23. Montgomery County #33. Fairfax County— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) July 11, 2016
