Early cases have included on-scene treatment for minor injuries and illnesses as well as behavioral-health interventions
The Santa Monica Fire Department has begun deploying a new two-person Advanced Provider Unit that pairs a nurse practitioner with a firefighter-paramedic to handle non-life-threatening 911 medical calls, allowing many patients to be treated at the scene instead of being transported to a hospital.
The unit, which started responding to calls last month and is currently operating Monday through Thursday, is part of the city’s broader two-year Realignment Plan approved by the City Council in October to bolster public safety and emergency services.
Fire Chief Matt Hallock said the program is intended to keep ambulances available for critical emergencies, reduce strain on local hospitals and connect frequent 911 callers with follow-up care.
Early cases have included on-scene treatment for minor injuries and illnesses as well as behavioral-health interventions, officials said.
The department plans to expand the unit to seven days a week in the coming months and is recruiting part-time contract nurse practitioners with emergency or urgent-care experience.
