Sandy Springs Community Paramedicine Program launched to reduce 911 calls

The Sandy Springs Fire Department has launched its Community Paramedicine Program to help elderly and socioeconomically challenged individuals who struggle with health care access.

Community Paramedic Paul Long said the program is designed to bring health care to community members who have no transportation to health care, other than calling 911 for an ambulance. The community paramedics also provide information about health care resources for continued care.

The program handles non-acute medical situations to reduce unnecessary hospital visits and 911 calls.

Long told Rough Draft Atlanta that the program serves community members who may have an ongoing medical condition that needs attention, but don’t have a way to get to a doctor’s office or need help to understand the medications they’ve been prescribed.

Community residents seeking help from the Community Paramedicine Program can fill out an online form. Long said the city is working on a Spanish-language version. Dispatchers will route these low-acuity 911 calls to the community paramedics to respond

The Community Paramedicine Program integrates with RightSite, the tele-health service that the city launched in 2024. RightSite offers consultations for patients who call 911 with non-acute medical issues.

The Community Paramedic Program will respond to 911 calls that are deemed to be non-emergencies, Long said. Once on scene, the community paramedics can use the city’s partnership with RightSite to get the caller in front of a doctor to evaluate if they need emergency care, or if it could be handled at home or a trip to an urgent care center.

Community paramedics are trained to manage a wide range of healthcare needs, including chronic disease management, wellness checks, medication management, and health screenings, Long said.

Long leads the program. He was hired by the city in November 2024, bringing more than 25 years of experience as a paramedic. He has worked exclusively with Atlanta-area fire departments, health systems, mobile integrated health programs, and event medicine. He is one of only 26 individuals in Georgia who are IBSC board-certified community paramedics.

He’s responded to 911 low acuity calls and had patients referred internally from city firefighters, EMTs, and the paramedics who work on fire trucks. He also uses data on high-volume 911 callers to initiate contact with people who may need services or education.

Long said he has been working on outreach to the city’s assisted living, and senior independent living facilities and partners to offer wellness clinics. He shares information about the Community Paramedicine Program, RightSite telehealth, and other resources with residents. He also makes available blood pressure and blood glucose checks.

To learn more about the Sandy Springs Community Paramedicine Program, visit SandySprings.gov/Community-Paramedicine-Program.

The post Sandy Springs Community Paramedicine Program launched to reduce 911 calls appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.