Patterson District Ambulance may soon work in the area where the West Side Community Ambulance operates.

In response, the West Side Community Healthcare Board of Directors voted to form a subcommittee to discuss more about the matter on Aug. 24.

This came after WSCHD received a letter from Stanislaus County Emergency Medical Services Agency (SCEMSA) in August that the Patterson District, operated by Del Puerto Healthcare District, was approved to handle authorized 911 emergency ambulances within Zone A. Zone A is a non-exclusive operating area, meaning that any local emergency service agencies are authorized to operate within its perimeters.

The letter also mentioned the approval does not “alter, diminish or revoke West Side Community Ambulance’s current authorization in Zone A.”

Del Puerto CEO Karin Freese told the board that providing additional coverage in the zone is about providing mutual aid for patient access and ambulance availability. She added the shortage of paramedics and emergency medical technicians within the West Side has affected ambulance crews, wear and tear to ambulances, an increase to operating cost and a reduction in resources.

Freese said SCEMSA initiated a countywide assessment, conducted by an independent consultant, last year that found a regionalized approach can lead to a sustainable EMS system for the area.

“When someone calls 911, they expect a timely response,” Freese said. “In an emergency, [a] resident should not have to worry about district boundaries or think about the name on the side of the ambulance.”

Nic Cadella, an attorney at Fresno-based Wagner Jones Helsley PC, said WSCHD staff should look into how it could impact ambulance operations and report back on it at the next meeting.

Cadella asked Chad Braner, an EMS director at SCEMSA, if there will be a provision for two agencies working in the same area.

Braner, in response, said that it will be decided by SCEMSA. “I’m not going to just dictate … how it’s going to go without any input,” he said.

Braner added that he’s already spoken with both parties on forming more discussions and finding a system status plan.

The topic is expected to be discussed more at a future meeting.