Today, Multnomah County announced it will extend the deadline for proposals to provide 911 emergency ambulance services countywide. The County Board of Commissioners will be asked for permission to extend the current contract with American Medical Response (AMR) an additional six months through Feb. 28, 2019. The extension would assure that high-quality ambulance service continues while a new medical triage system is integrated into the current 911 system.
All counties are required to have an ambulance service plan that lays out the emergency medical system. In December 2016, Multnomah County updated its 1994 plan in order to modernize the system while retaining the solid foundation that has produced excellent results for the region over the last 23 years. Planned improvements include integrating electronic medical records and an enhanced 911 triage system expected to improve the response to life-threatening medical emergencies, reduce emergency lights and siren responses for less severe medical calls, and decrease overuse of hospital emergency departments .
“People in Multnomah County receive top-notch prehospital emergency medical care through the combined efforts of our dispatchers at BOEC, highly trained fire department first responders, well-equipped and highly-trained ambulance paramedics, dedicated medical direction and a strong system of hospital emergency departments,’’ said Dr. Paul Lewis, the Multnomah County Health Officer who oversees the emergency system. “We’re looking forward to integrating a widely used medical triage system that will help us put the right resources in the right place at the right time.''
The RFP specifies that the internationally recognized Medical Priority Dispatch System software suite be used to enhance the 911 system. As the Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communication (BOEC) provides 911 service for the entire county, the City of Portland and County are working together on the new software. The cost and responsibility for 911 emergency medical phone triage functions will be provided by the ambulance contractor.
“The City of Portland remains committed to working with the County to deliver the best system to receive and respond to emergency medical calls,” said Kyle Chisek, Director of Policy and Bureau Relations for Mayor Ted Wheeler. “We are committed to taking some additional time to get it right.”Documents related to this RFP can be accessed at:
/purchasing/opportunities/emergency-ambulance-services . Since the Request for Proposal is still active, questions about the procurement should be addressed to Kathi Braeme-Burr at 503-988-7550 or kathi.braeme-burr@multco.us.