Life Support

The complicated system that is the Austin-Travis Co. EMS is nationally recognized for saving lives. As Austin continues to grow, can the system save itself?

"...serious, time- and skill-critical emergencies that first responders and paramedics handle. Unless someone intervenes, death is virtually certain...."

Aug. 16, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

From the Archive: Welcome to Chaos

Originally published on Nov. 12, 1993: ATCEMS saves lives every day, but the stresses of the job have high costs

"...familiar siren wail of another call turns the two paramedics around and sends them back to their ambulance. I..."

May 8, 2015 News Feature by Raoul Hernandez

High Stress at EMS

ATCEMS saves lives every day, but the stresses of the job have high costs

"...Calls that aren't life-or-death can be just as troubling. Paramedics interviewed for this story (who requested anonymity for fear..."

May 8, 2015 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

Public Safety: A Growth Industry

As the city grows, so does the public safety budget

"...conflagrations from above, and to allow EMS to drop paramedics into places they might not otherwise be able to..."

Aug. 31, 2012 News Feature by Jordan Smith

EMS: Let 'em rest

In an effort to reduce fatigue, Austin-Travis Co. EMS begins a new, more flexible work schedule.

"...Beginning July 23, Austin-Travis Co. EMS paramedics will have a new, more flexible work-scheduling system designed..."

July 21, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Austin-Travis County EMS Saves Real Lives on First Responders Live

Why are local emer­gency medical services on Fox's popular TV show?

"...and often travel with firefighters, whereas in Austin the paramedics are still separate – or, as it’s known, a..."

June 19, 2019 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

Austin Ambulances Were Out of Service 35 Times Last Month

Understaffed EMS means ambulances can’t be manned

"...for other compensation benefits like stipends for Community Health Paramedics, who are required to undergo additional training for which..."

Aug. 4, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

Levy and EMS Union in Email Throwdown

EMS union leader calls for Mike Levy's resignation from city panel

"...has helped county management "sell" the idea of replacing paramedics with firefighters trained in advanced life support at each..."

March 8, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Fantastic Fest Interview: Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson are Synchronic

The directing duo take a new path through time

"...career choice was very deliberate, "There's a nobility to paramedics," Benson said. "You never see brutality on the public..."

Sept. 19, 2019 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

On Budget, Council Agrees to Disagree (Updated)

Spending plan includes $4.6 million in last-minute additions

"...advocates, toward mental health first response – Community Health Paramedics in Emergency Medical Services, training and expert staffing for..."

Sept. 13, 2019 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

New Medical Director for Austin/Travis County

EMS union expresses enthusiasm for Mark E. Escott hire

"...staffing model to make ambulances once staffed by two paramedics instead be staffed by one paramedic and one emergency..."

June 17, 2016 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

Lawsuit Against APD Officers Alleges Civil Rights Violations

Family of 24-year-old beaten and arrested last summer by APD officer at bus stop files federal lawsuit against officer and his supervisors

"...stop but was asked not to wake Cruz until paramedics arrived. Griffin disregarded that directive, the lawsuit alleges, and..."

June 29, 2007 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Taser International Bleeding Money

Taser gun maker's profits drop 98% in 2005

"...be answered not only by police, but also by paramedics and police supervisors. According to the Associated Press, the..."

March 10, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

Austin Stories

"...At least seven Austin Emergency Medical Services paramedics have filed a class-action lawsuit against the city, claiming..."

Jan. 24, 2003 News Feature

Short-Term Contract Locks In Big Wage Gains for EMS

Entry-level EMTs will get $19.25 an hour

"...Austin EMS paramedics – a higher rank than EMT – will also..."

Aug. 26, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

City Offers Pennies, Not Dollars, to Austin EMS

Medics find proposal insulting and inadequate amid enormous staffing crunch

"...– in 2010. Back then, EMS had trouble hiring paramedics and required ambulances be staffed by two paramedics. So..."

April 15, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Another Fentanyl Overdose Surge Overwhelms the County

Harm reduction advocates urge access to fentanyl testing strips

"...Abraham, deputy medical director at Austin-Travis County EMS, said paramedics are responding to around 30 opioid overdoses a day...."

March 25, 2022 News Feature by Lina Fisher

ProLodges Saves and Changes Some of Austin's Most Vulnerable Lives

Can the city keep them open?

"...system. From the outreach provided by EMS Community Health Paramedics and the Homeless Outreach Street Team, to the direct..."

Jan. 1, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Mr. Smarty Pants Knows

"...American paramedics' average yearly salaries range from about $33,000 to $46,000,..."

Dec. 25, 2020 Column by Mr. Smarty Pants

A COVID-Cautious Christmas

Officials urge vigilance as more health workers receive vaccine

"...Last week some EMTs and paramedics with Austin-Travis County Emergency Med­ical Services (including Escott, who..."

Dec. 25, 2020 News Feature by Beth Sullivan

Synchronic

Anthony Mackie takes a long, strange trip to find himself

"...the romanticized pre-Katrina NoLa. It's a city where two paramedics – Steve (Mackie) and Dennis (Dornan) – spend most..."

Oct. 23, 2020 Movie Review by Richard Whittaker

Mental Health Crisis Plan Still Lags Behind Austin’s Needs

Trying to change how the emergency response apparatus handles mental health calls

"...The Meadows report also suggested that Community Health Paramedics – a specialized unit within EMS that helps vulnerable..."

July 17, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Working Overtime to Provide for Unhoused Neighbors During the Coronavirus Pandemic

All shall be fed

"...like Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Austin-Travis County's Community Health Paramedics, and Sunrise Com­mun­ity Church. They are still doing the..."

April 3, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Cops, Medics, and How the City Treats Them

Labor agreements, disagreements, and more

"...time to complete another study to look into what paramedics should be paid...."

March 30, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

The Problem With K2, Downtown Austin’s Most Dangerous Drug

APD cannot depend on big busts alone to solve the problem

"...last March had grown into something more ceaseless; Downtown paramedics and firefighters were responding to as many as 10..."

March 16, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

How Austin Handles Mental Health Emergencies

Police, EMS, and Integral Care work together to serve people in psychiatric crisis

"...to convey this bit of information to law enforcement, paramedics, and civilians during mental health awareness and de-escalation trainings,..."

Dec. 15, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Travis Co. Medical Director Resigns

Hinchey says he'll be moving to the private sector

"...that resulted in ambulances being staffed not with two paramedics but rather one paramedic and one emergency medical technician...."

June 19, 2015 News Post by Chase Hoffberger

Nightcrawler

Jake Gyllenhaal gives a terrifically fierce performance as a tenacious and delusional self-actualizer.

"...car wreck on the L.A. interstate, not helping the paramedics or police, but rather observing the parasitic cameramen out..."

Oct. 31, 2014 Movie Review by William Goss

The AggreGAYtor: September 18

What happened today in gay? Here’s your QILTBAG recap of queer news.

"...Texas’ LGBTQ police, firefighters, and paramedics are giving Greg Abbott a huge political opportunity he..."

Sept. 18, 2014 Qmmunity Post by David Estlund

Three Executions Pending

Three more executions scheduled and under appeal

"...called 911, saying that Macias was not breathing; when paramedics arrived, Avila said that he was watching TV when..."

April 5, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

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