LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The USAF Hospital Langley added eight full-time civilian paramedics to their emergency response team, to become one of the first units to implement the Air Force paramedic specialty.
The Langley Urgent Care Center originally had a contract with Hampton paramedics because the Air Force did not have an official paramedic career field. Employing outside paramedics, however, caused time delays in response to emergency calls.
"Airmen should receive the same standard of care the local community gives its members, "said Master Sgt. Arthur Jacobs, 633d Medical Operations Squadron Air Combat Command flight chief. "On-base paramedics get people the medical care they need quicker."
Having full-time paramedics on base is also cost efficient, Jacobs said. Ambulance rides cost $500 to $8,000 per ride, and the UCC receives one to two emergency calls per day, totaling four rides. The new paramedic program potentially saves Langley an estimated $224,000 weekly.
Until 2009, enlisted paramedics were limited to Air Force Special Operations and Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion training positions, Jacobs said. Recently, Air Force medic leadership recognized a need for paramedic specialty and created a program.
"Langley is authorized for five paramedic positions," Jacobs said. "In an effort to fill those positions, we are rotating top-notch, motivated Airmen into Paramedic school."
The first two Airmen are presently scheduled to complete the course, and the next three will begin in August. Once the Airmen complete the paramedic course, they will work alongside the civilian paramedics.
"As always, there are challenges with civilian personnel and military staff working together," Jacobs said. "But we are learning to speak the same language."
The UCC and paramedic staffs overcome differences with on-the-job learning, training, and teamwork by pairing inexperienced first responders and emergency medical technicians with well-seasoned paramedics, said Elvin Deloach, 633 MDOS paramedic.
The paramedics also augment the UCC staff by providing care for patients and working as medical technicians.
"I'm glad to be back in a military environment and offer all my experience to Langley," said Deloach, a retired Navy Chief. "I like being able to help and serve the people who go in harm's way taking care of our country.