WW EMS Policy Changes

WAITSBURG - Walla Walla Emergency Medical Services recently re-evaluated their coverage to outlying areas and made changes in how they respond to calls in Waitsburg. Previously, when a call went to dispatch, crews were sent from both Waitsburg and Walla Walla.

"Waitsburg covers their own calls, so financially, it doesn't make sense that they send a crew out, transfer the call to Dayton who sends us (Waitsburg Ambulance Service) out - then we get there and realize we don't need paramedics and send them back. Sometimes they would already have another call waiting when they got back," said Waitsburg Deputy Chief EMS responder Sharon Brooks.

Instead of automatically responding to calls, Walla Walla EMS will now wait for the Waitsburg Ambulance Service to call and let them know that advanced medical support is necessary. Brooks said paramedics will also be dispatched if a caller specifically requests advanced medical support when they make the initial 911 call.

Brooks says the new system seems to be working well. She said she recently responded to a call she felt warranted advanced medical support. WAS treated the patient and began transport, while placing a call to Walla Walla EMS. They met the advanced medical support team on the way to the hospital and a paramedic joined them in the ambulance to complete the transport. " This eliminates down time and the expense of driving out for nothing," said Brooks.