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Paramedics answering 9-1-1 calls in Texas counties

By Kara Lopp
The Journal Gazette

ALBION, Texas – In about two months, residents of Noble and LaGrange counties who call 911 with a medical emergency could talk to a paramedic instead of a dispatcher.

The commissioners in the neighboring counties approved plans Monday to create a central dispatching system for their emergency medical services. The system could be ready as early as the end of next month.

The move will not only get an ambulance to the scene faster, but also allow paramedics to give medical advice to callers and update responding paramedics on a patients’ condition, officials said.

Four emergency medical technicians from Noble County will take turns working as medical dispatchers at the Noble County Sheriff’s Office, where the center will be housed, said Tom Shoemaker, EMS director for Noble County. Other medics from Noble and LaGrange counties will also be trained to do dispatching at the sheriff’s office in Albion. ...

Full Story: Counties put medics on 911