Midway Fire Dept. cancels calls to nursing homes

Midway Fire Department will no longer respond to calls at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, but board members don’t consider it a decrease in services.

The calls to those facilities are typically “alpha” calls – simple medical emergencies, such as a patient transport or a fallen person.

Jacque Gorris, Midway Fire Department board member, said the board made the decision during its July meeting. While Gorris wasn’t initially in favor of the change, he said Kim Landry, Santa Rosa County Medical Director, made a convincing argument. He said the department’s medical efforts were usually a duplication of services.

“A large majority of (nursing home) calls were being handled by the nursing home staffs,” he said, adding that the board’s decision was only made after consulting with the medical directors of the nursing homes in the district. He said the change will increase efficiency and allow the fire department to be available for more pressing emergency calls.