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Welcome to the Web Site of Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services, the N.A.E.M.T. 2005 Paramedic Ambulance Service of the Year. I will take a brief opportunity to explain a little about our service and its short history. Hamilton County E.M.S. was established on February 1, 1988. Prior to that time, ambulance service for the un-incorporated areas of Hamilton County was provided by several volunteer Fire Departments and private ambulance services. Initially, the service consisted of one ambulance on each side of the Tennessee River and a staff of 17 employees. That soon expanded as several municipalities requested the service be provided to them also. Within the first year of service, there were five units in service, 24-hours a day, and the number of employees had grown to thirty-five. The Chattanooga Fire Department had provided ambulance coverage for the City Of Chattanooga since 1973. In 1992, the Mayor of Chattanooga asked that Hamilton County assume responsibility for this coverage and the expanded operation began in July. What had been a fledgling operation, designed primarily to provide Advanced Life Support to a rural area, had grown to include 14 Ambulance units, 100 employees, and a coverage area of 571 square miles and 300,000 citizens. Within 20 years of operation, the number of annual responses had gone from 1700 to 27,000. The organization is designed around a “fire department style” rank structure and divided into three teams, each responsible for a rotational 24-hour on, 48-hour off schedule. Three district supervisors (Lieutenant) on each team provide line supervision. They are responsible for the daily operation of their respective districts and provide on-scene medical command until relieved by higher authority. The Lieutenant is assigned to a mobile response unit and is free to travel around his district, as need demands. Each supervisor is trained in extended skills, such as R.S.I. and induced hyperthermia, and responds to provide additional assistance as needed. The daily operation of each team is the responsibility of the shift supervisor (Captain). They are assigned to a fast-response vehicle and oversee all aspects of their respective teams including staffing, days off, discipline, and general leadership functions. Each team Captain is also tasked with additional responsibilities, such as station repairs, employment opportunities, and medical equipment/protocols. In this function, they monitor ambulance station status, maintain all repair records and follow-up on crew performance. The Service operates a supply depot facility, staffed by three employees, that maintains all materials required for pre-hospital medical care. Overseen by a supply officer/Asset Manager (Lieutenant), they are tasked with ordering all stock, maintaining and repairing all medical equipment, and distribution of inventory as requested, and maintenance schedules of all rolling stock. During a mass casualty incident, our Supply team responds with pre-packaged containerized supplies and establishes N.I.M.S. sectors as the incident requires. Our Supply Division also maintains Homeland Security District Three equipment and supplies. A full-time training supervisor (Captain) and training officer (Lieutenant) provides training for the Service as well as A.E.D. training for general government employees. Each E.M.S. crew is provided at least two hours training monthly, including drug updates, new procedures, customer service, and safety concerns. The training staff also offers outreach courses, such as CPR, to area community organizations. They also maintain records of all required certifications and offers update classes in BTLS and ACLS. In addition to their training duties, they are tasked with overseeing the Service’s exposure control plan. They provide immunizations as required by local protocol for employees, documents exposures, and functions as liaison with the local Health Department. A Customer Service Officer (Lieutenant) answers needs of both external and internal customers. He handles care and billing questions, coordinates Quality Improvement issues, and investigates public and/or Service complaints. He also assists with training issues and oversee Service safety issues. A part-time contracted physician provides medical control for the Service. He is responsible for development of protocols and serves as chair of the CQI committee. He is responsible for investigation of medical practice complaints and recommends corrective actions. He is assigned a radio and protective equipment and responds to requests as needed. He serves as on-line medical control and approves all standing orders when performed. A full-time microcomputer specialist oversees the entire computer operation. He is also responsible for future technological needs and direction of the Service. All E.M.S. stations are linked electronically as part of the county network. Medical transport records are maintained electronically as part of the county network. Each station is equipped with a P.C. and each employee has an e-mail address. Memos, notifications, and announcements are sent electronically and all supply orders are paperless. Each vehicle is equipped with a "Panasonic Toughbook" mobile display system and outfitted with automatic vehicle locators. This allows instant location and information sharing between all mobile units and the Communications Center. I hope that you have found this history and description of our Service informative. Please feel free to visit our Site and contact us if you have any questions.
- Kenneth L. Wilkerson, Chief
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