HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-25 City CouncilCity
City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: FIRE
AGENDA DATE:APRIL 25, 1996 CMR: 243:96
SUBJECT:PARAMEDICS ON BICYCLES
REQUEST
This is an informational report. No Council action is required. The purpose of this report
is to inform Council on the development and implementation of a paramedic on bicycles
program. The paramedics on bicycles program will make its debut at the Palo Alto Black
and White Ball.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This program is consistent with existing City policies. The program will support the positive
effects of special events, will provide positive public relations, and will demonstrate an
environmentally sound and unique approach to public safety.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Special events in Palo Alto attract a large number of people into the downtown area. Often,
it is necessary to close streets or limit vehicular access into the crowded event areas. This
includes events such as the Art and Wine Festival, parades, events on the Stanford campus,
and the Black and White Ball. While permits for these events require that emergency access
for Fire Department vehicles must be maintained, response times on event days can be
increased due to the congestion caused by bringing a large group of people into a small area.
The Fire Department has developed and will debut a paramedic response team on bicycles,
for large public events in the downtown area where street access is limited. While an
ambulance with transport capability will continue to respond to all medical emergency calls,
the bicycle response team will respond immediately into areas where access by normal Fire
Department equipment may be delayed, due to traffic congestion or physical obstructions,
to render advanced medical aid and other services to the community.
CMR:243:96 Page 1 of 2
Palo Alto will be among the first Fire Departments in the nation to implement such an
innovative program, although programs in Pheonix and Denver have been well received and
effective. The Denver team was invaluable during the Pope’s visit last year, when there was
a large public attendance at that event during a heat wave.
The bicycle response team will consist of one firefighter/paramedic and one firefighter/EMT,
who will be equipped with the necessary communication, cardiac, respiratory, and other
medical equipment to provide advanced life support treatment for patients. The staffing of
the bicycle response team will not affect the ability to provide paramedic services to other
locations within the community. Six personnel have undergone the necessary training to be
part of the special events bicycle response team.
FISCAL IMPACT
None. The minimal cost requires no adjustment to the Fire Department budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This project is exempt from CEQA under section 1530 of the CEQA guidelines.
Prepared By:Ruben Grijalva, Fire Chief
Department Head Review:
RUBEI~RIJALVA
Fire Cittef
City Manager Approval:
FLEMING
Ci ;er
CMR:243:96 Page 2 of 2