Revising EMS System Response is a High Priority Call

April 23, 2024

9:30 am –

10:30 am

Tracks: Clinical, Hot Topics, Operations

If you had a magic wand, what would you change about your 911 system?
In April of 2023, Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) completely overhauled the way it responds to 911 calls, aiming to preserve ALS resources for patients experiencing time sensitive medical emergencies while mitigating ever-increasing low acuity call responses. The panel will talk through the data, experience gained, and lessons learned after one year in the new response configuration. Strategies to discuss include; enhanced use of MPDS in the 911 call center, increasing response times to low acuity calls, reducing lights and sirens usage, expansion of BLS resources, and revising the allocation of first responders. This session will also cover patient safety, predictions versus outcomes, community education, as well as how MEDIC leadership navigated the political landscape to get this major system change off the ground.

Speakers:

John “JP” Peterson
Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC)

J.P. Peterson is the Executive Director at Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) in Charlotte, North Carolina. MEDIC is the busiest EMS service in the state with over 156,000 responses in 2021. Prior to working at MEDIC, J.P. served as Vice President of Florida Operations for PatientCare EMS Solutions. In this role, he had oversight of MedFleet Ambulance Service based in Pasco County, Florida and Sunstar Paramedics in Pinellas County, Florida where...

Dr. Doug Swanson
Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC)

Dr. Doug Swanson is a professor of emergency medicine at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC and holds dual board certification in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. Doug is the medical director for the Mecklenburg EMS Agency, the largest volume EMS agency in North Carolina. In this position, he is responsible for the medical oversight of all EMT first responders, and Agency EMDs, EMTs, and paramedics providing...

Jeff Keith
Deputy Director
Mecklenburg EMS Agency

Grace Nelson
Public Relations Manager
Mecklenburg EMS Agency

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of South Carolina, Grace began a 10-year career in the government arena with the State of South Carolina, during which her experience included brand development and reputation building through various platforms. Now the Public Relations Manager for Mecklenburg EMS Agency in Charlotte, NC, for the past five years Grace has been responsible for strategizing and executing all external...