Community Paramedicine & Triage to Alternate Destination

What is Community Paramedicine?

Community paramedicine (CP) is an innovative and evolving model of community-based healthcare designed to provide more effective and efficient services at a lower cost. Community paramedicine allows paramedics to function outside their traditional emergency response and transport roles to help facilitate more appropriate use of emergency care resources while enhancing access to primary care for medically underserved populations.

 

Who are community paramedics?

A community paramedic (CP) is an advanced paramedic that works to increase access to primary and preventive care and decrease use of emergency departments, which in turn decreases health care costs. CPs are not meant to supersede or replace any healthcare programs that are already available in the community, rather they supplement and enhance these programs.

Currently Approved Community Paramedicine Programs

San Francisco County EMS:

 

Community Paramedicine Toolkit

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. I am a service provider, interested in developing a program in my area. How do I get started? 

Please contact your LEMSA

2. I am a community member, interested in developing a program in my area. How do I get started? 

Please contact your LEMSA

3. Questions regarding EMS Personnel training and accreditation? Contact:

Laura Aceves
CP & TAD Personnel Coordinator
EMS Personnel Standards Unit, EMSA
laura.aceves@emsa.ca.gov
(916) 903-9294

4. Questions regarding data requirements? Contact:

Adrienne Kim
Data and Quality Improvement Unit Manager
adrienne.kim@emsa.ca.gov
(916) 431-3742

What is Triage to Alternate Destination?

 

 

Triage to Alternate Destination Toolkits

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. I am a service provider, interested in developing a program in my area. How do I get started? 

Please contact your LEMSA

2. I am a community member, interested in developing a program in my area. How do I get started? 

Please contact your LEMSA

3. Questions regarding EMS Personnel training and accreditation? Contact:

Laura Aceves
CP & TAD Personnel Coordinator
EMS Personnel Standards Unit, EMSA
laura.aceves@emsa.ca.gov
(916) 903-9294

4. Questions regarding data requirements? Contact:

Adrienne Kim
Data and Quality Improvement Unit Manager
adrienne.kim@emsa.ca.gov
(916) 431-3742

Questions? Email EMSA's CP and TAD Program Manager

10 + 14 =

Contact the CP and TAD Program Manager:

Candace Keefauver
Candace.Keefauver@emsa.ca.gov
(916) 969-6669

Program History

Community Paramedicine and Triage to Alternate Destination programs began as pilot projects in 2014, when the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development’s (OSHPD) Health Workforce Pilot Project Program temporarily waived sections of the Health and Safety Code and approved the CP pilot study. Previously, paramedics were unable to work in any setting other than at the scene of an emergency or while transporting patients. OSHPD’s approval allowed EMSA to test the effectiveness and safety of community paramedicine.

In November of 2023 these programs became fully realized through the approval and implementation of CCR, Title 22: Division 9. Chapter 5: Community Paramedicine and Triage to Alternate Destination.

Pilot Program Video