Elmhurst first responders adding another lifesaving tool

Elmhurst officials are responding to a dramatic uptick in calls for emergency medical assistance by putting an additional unit on the streets specifically for those services.

The new SUV and contract paramedic, which the city is calling the Rapid Response ALS Unit, will feature an SUV equipped with life-support equipment and medicines.

They say the new unit will allow for immediate response to a call for assistance in the event that both the city's ambulances are unavailable.

When required, a transport ambulance still would be provided by a mutual aid town to ensure there is no delay in care. The mutual aid ambulance and its staff would take over care from there, making the SUV available again.

"The rising number of medical calls has created a much greater need for additional trained paramedics, which is often difficult in a department of Elmhurst's size," according to written statement provided by the city. "In the last five years, the city has seen a 15 percent increase for emergency medical calls for service while the corresponding calls for fire service have been relatively flat."

City officials also considered adding a third ambulance, but determined the SUV was both the most flexible and cost-effective option.

The new vehicle will be for use only in the city and will not be sent on mutual aid calls, officials said. The annual cost of operating the unit with one paramedic will be $165,352.