Pictured from left: Firefighter and Paramedic Wayland Hudgins, Lieutenant Daniel Stamp and Firefighter and Paramedic Colin McCann.
The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and medical technology company Masimo announced Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services (CFEMS) will receive the Excellence in Fire-Service Based EMS award for its Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program.
The MIH program utilizes specially-trained paramedics to address the needs of frequent users of the 9-1-1 system as well as residents who have unmet medical needs. The goal of the county’s MIH unit is to navigate the residents to existing community and medical resources to help manage their conditions, ultimately reducing their use of 9-1-1.
The unit is led by Program Manager Lt. Daniel Stamp and Medical Director Dr. Allen Yee. Other members include Wayland Hudgins, Colin McCann and Colin McCaffrey, all firefighters and paramedics, as well as Hallie Hartman, peer support specialist.
“Chesterfield Fire and EMS began this program five years ago to assist citizens in the county who were utilizing the 9-1-1 system multiple times per year – and sometimes several times in a day. Connecting these citizens with resources to assist their needs in housing, healthcare, addiction and much more has not only improved their lives but has improved the usage of 9-1-1 in the county,” said Lt. Stamp.
To date, the MIH unit has managed over 1,900 cases. In cases where a citizen has accepted assistance and worked through the MIH program, 9-1-1 calls from that citizen were reduced by 49%.
The MIH unit has also been vital to Chesterfield County’s opioid response by helping residents who have overdosed on opioids utilize county resources including mental health programs, peer groups and rehabilitation facilities.
“I am thrilled that the men and women of the MIH unit have been recognized for their great work and dedication,” said Dr. Yee. “They manage difficult and complex social and medical situations not typically dealt with by EMS every day. They have been able to help victims of elder neglect and abuse, child abuse, hoarders, homelessness, poverty and complicated medical disorders. The unit has broken down silos and enhanced integration of all the county agencies to provide streamlined services to residents and visitors of Chesterfield County.”
The Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award is scheduled to be presented at the 32nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, which has been postponed until further notice.
For more information about the award and award ceremony, visit the CFSI website and announcement of award winners.