By EMS1 Staff
LAFAYETTE, La. — An ambulance service is struggling to staff paramedics as emergency calls continue to increase.
A shortage in paramedics has been a persistent issue in the area, but has come to a head since the number of calls increased following heavy flooding in August 2016.
“It’s a comedy of errors in that it’s all coming together at once to create a pretty painful punch in the market,” Kirk Lacour, director of the National EMS Academy, told KATC.
Officials said the staffing shortage may create longer response times. Since the flooding, Acadian Ambulance Service has received calls from those who have injured themselves while rebuilding their homes, or others suffering from strokes or stress.
“When ambulances are on call all the time, some people who call 911 may not get the same response time, because we have to finish the call we’re on, drop that patient off, and make sure they’re cared for before we can go on another emergency,” Lacour said.
To offset the influx of calls, Acadian has pulled EMS providers from neighboring areas. However, Lacour said the system is not ideal and has caused many providers to work overtime or double shifts.