NEWS > BUSINESS > CHICAGO PILOT PROJECT ALLOWS PARAMEDICS TO WORK FROM HOME

CHICAGO PILOT PROJECT ALLOWS PARAMEDICS TO WORK FROM HOME

April 22 2009

Chicago, IL – The continuing economic decline has forced many to change the way they do business. From cutting workforces to reduced services companies across the world are scrambling to keep their businesses afloat as spending continues to decline. Not immune to the downturn, governments all over the United States are also being forced to deal with the economic downturn in new and creative ways. The City of
Chicago is one of those cities trying to find a way to save money in order to keep their essential services alive, and officials are now thinking in totally new terms.

Borrowing an idea from the corporate world Chicago officials are starting a pilot program that will allow paramedics to work from home rather than make the expensive trip into the ambulance terminals, a move officials believe will save the city millions in transit fees and parking expenses. Though precise details have yet to be released, the city hopes to extend the project into other essential services should it prove a success.

“This new program will allow us to keep wages and compensation for travel to a
minimum. As you can imagine our drivers are in a tighter economic position than they once were and the costs associated with travelling to and from work have become an ever increasing burden. We have tried to compensate them and re-arranged shifts to make things a little more practical, but we believe this program solves all our concerns in one go,” said a spokesperson for the Chicago Fire Department. “We believe this program can be extended to other divisions including fire and possibly Police and will provide a positive solution for everyone.”

Other cities such as New York have looked into programs involving the reduction of
roaming vehicles, but so far no major city has attempted to reduce the costs being charged to employees. Such programs have been successful in the private sector for many years, but the reliability of such altered services is a concern for many watchers.

“The major concern of course is one of time. Most paramedics work in teams so would one drive and have to pick up the other before they go to the patient? Aside from increasing the risk of death, that’s extra fuel that as to be spent and that might mitigate the savings,” said Scrape TV Business analyst Ken Green. “That said, the lack of commuting should make things a
lot easier on the workers both mentally and in the pocketbook and anything that can be done to put more money in people’s pockets will ultimately be a good thing for the resurrection of the economy.”

The new program is also expected to reduce the load on area hospitals who are also suffering from severe financial problems. Though much of the costs will be passed onto morgues throughout the city, related infrastructure costs such as medication and bandages will significantly reduced.

“Whether people like it or not the reality is everyone is going to have to tighten their belts to make it through these rough times. If people are concerned about the
response rate of paramedics and other emergency personnel then the onus is on them to stay out of trouble and healthy. No doubt that some illnesses can’t be avoided but perhaps this will reduce the dependence on the medical system and prompt Americans to take better care of themselves,” continued Green. “If this works, combined with the federal proposal to change the number for 911 could do wonders for the general health of Americans. Sure there will be a period of adjustment and it’s only natural for that to cause some headaches, but in the long run it should benefit everyone.”

Chicago officials are currently working out the details of the new program but expect to have it up and running by early summer, in time for heat related illnesses.   

William Ashford, Business Correspondent

NEWS > BUSINESS > CHICAGO PILOT PROJECT ALLOWS PARAMEDICS TO WORK FROM HOME