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Y. CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> hospitals. We talked to the State EMS Medical Director and the State is right now looking at <br /> creating a reimbursement scheme for community paramedicine, specifically. So we are on the <br /> ground floor right now but as that becomes something, there is a possibility the entire program <br /> might be paid for just from that. <br /> Committeemember Broden i nterjected And a follow up q uestion if I might, thanks in your <br /> tracking within the client engagement, what does that look like for medical, social work case <br /> management and other services? <br /> Chief Cox replied, We are tracking all of those things. <br /> p g g <br /> Committeemember Broden stated, My last question, I think, is about the 2019 goals and <br /> challenges. I don't see anything in here, well I won't say any, but what are you doing with the <br /> opioid crisis in terms of training, services, collaboration or other things? <br /> Chief Cox replied, We met with folks at Oaklawn today to partner with them for potential <br /> programming. If I could take a step back, I would say that the Fire Department is not the place to <br /> solve this. In fact if somebody has called us, they are at the end of this thing. What we are <br /> attempting to do is work with other partner organizations within the County where we can maybe <br /> distribute Narcan, actually get training out and make sure other folks are understanding what is <br /> going on. Ultimately,treatment is what needs to happen and that is frankly outside the purview of <br /> the Fire Department. We are trying to work with the other agencies and we have been an active <br /> participant with the Indiana Health Center. They have a physician's health alliance that help <br /> manage different parts of this crisis. We understand what is going on. <br /> Committeemember Broden interjected, So it's too early, at this point,to see anything within your <br /> budget to reflect that activity? I guess overall you are emergency services but, yet. <br /> Chief Cox replied, Here's the funny thing about the budget in regards to this, we have been <br /> handling opioid overdoses for decades. This is what we do.None of that has changed for us at all. <br /> In fact,if anything,it has become a little cheaper for us because there are now some State programs <br /> that give us free Narcan. But aside from that, other than some increased opioid overdoses, we <br /> continue doing the same job that we have always done. So in regards to the budget, I would argue <br /> that has probably has been a minimal impact in regard to the opioid crisis. <br /> Councilmember Sharon L. McBride stated, I would like to thank you for your clarification on the <br /> opioid crisis. That is a good point because it is a relevant topic in our community. I like the <br /> paramedicine concept and thank you so much for your service. <br /> Councilmember Tim Scott stated, The Police Department put together a program for part-time. <br /> Maybe that is an idea to float? Would that work for you guys, with possibly retired Fire Fighters, <br /> that could help out? <br /> Chief Cox replied, That is something we would need to negotiate with our Union and other <br /> collaborators. Frankly, when a Fire Fighter gets to the age of retirement, often times they are <br /> retiring because of the strenuous activity associated with the job. That is certainly something we <br /> could investigate. <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 JTD 574.235.5567 I www.southbendin.gov <br /> 18 <br />