Changes Planned in Paramedic Service

Changes in the Orange County Fire Authority this fiscal year will mean improved paramedic service for Cypress, city officials said.

The authority, which provides fire protection for the city, plans to convert paramedic vans to paramedic engine companies. The change will affect Fire Station 17 in Cypress and will mean better, faster service, said Kevin Justen, a senior management analyst for city government.

“The conversion to a paramedic engine company will result in faster responses to medical emergencies in the city and increase the likelihood that Fire Authority personnel arriving first on the scene will have a higher level of emergency medical training,” Justen said.

The Fire Authority decided to convert its paramedic structure after a pilot study indicated that quicker response would result. The conversion means that Cypress residents with medical emergencies will have better protection on several levels, Justen told City Council members.

“This change in service delivery will increase the number of paramedics on duty each day and increase the number of paramedic units available,” he said.

The change will not affect emergency ambulance service, he said: “Medical transport of patients will continue to be provided by a private ambulance company.”