EMS releases annual report

SANDPOINT — Bonner County EMS is marking its 10th anniversary with the release of an annual report highlighting its operations, personnel, budget and service call volumes.

“What we tried to do with this report is tell you who we are, what we do and the people that do it,” Bonner EMS Chief Bob Bussey told commissioners on Tuesday.

The report shows that the busiest month for Bonner EMS in 2014 was July, when the agency responded to 341 calls for service. Its quietest month was October, when it responded to 236 calls.

The report also shows that most of the calls — 2,171 — were in the Sandpoint area.

It also highlights its aggressive training regimens for emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Bussey said EMTs and paramedics receive weekly training and proficiency training.

“As far as an any system in the state of Idaho, I would say our training is well and above anybody else out there,” said Bussey.

Bussey also noted that many employees have been with the department since its inception a decade ago. The average burnout for an EMS worker is three to five years, according to Bussey.

“Being in the system for 10 years speaks highly of their dedication,” he said.

The report also touches on the department’s STEMI heart attack program and its growing community paramedicine program, which reaches out to those with congestive heart issues.

“We’re going to have paramedics go out and check on those people weekly or every other week and see how they’re doing. We’re trying to relieve that population from going to the ER,” said Bussey.