FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 02, 2015
December 02, 2015
Contact:
Chelsea Bland
(202) 777-3079
[email protected]
D.C.’s Civilian EMS Workers Champion New Plan for Community Based Paramedicine in Nation’s Capital
Categories:
Washington, D.C.
Union activists say this plan is the right fix over previous talks of outsourcing essential EMS services
WASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees EMS Local 3721 President Aretha Lyles applauds Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s introduction of the Community Health Emergency Link Paramedicine (C-HELP) Pilot Program Act of 2015.
“I want to thank Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and his staff for addressing issues in the Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS Department. We are civilian EMS workers who care deeply about the health and safety of D.C. residents,” said Lyles. “As the representative of the first responders, AFGE Local 3721 strongly recommends implementing the C-HELP legislation introduced by Councilmember McDuffie. We are pleased that the program we brought forward to our elected officials to support the community in improving 911 services is being taken up at this level.”
The C-HELP Pilot Program would reduce non-emergency 911 calls and hospital readmission. This pilot program would also provide education outreach resources to the community. Similar programs are being implemented in cities comparable in size to D.C., such as, San Diego, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh with great success.
“With this legislation, I hope to create an innovative approach to community medicine. The program will not compete with other community health care services but is intended to identify and fill gaps in care by working in partnership and collaboration with existing health care providers,” said Councilmember McDuffie.
“We believe this pilot program will improve the lives of D.C. residents and the success of the D.C. Fire and EMS Department. Community-based paramedicine techniques are the right solution to address emergency care needs in the District,” added Lyles.
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