Dover council hears St. Francis EMS update

By Leann Schenke
Posted 7/27/21

DOVER — The message was clear: “It’s more than just (emergency medical services); it’s about community.”

That was the basis of an update on St. Francis Healthcare’s Dover EMS division, delivered to Dover City Council on Monday by Scott Bundek, the organization’s chief of EMS.

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Dover council hears St. Francis EMS update

Posted

DOVER — The message was clear: “It’s more than just (emergency medical services); it’s about community.”

That was the basis of an update on St. Francis Healthcare’s Dover EMS division, delivered to Dover City Council on Monday by Scott Bundek, the organization’s chief of EMS.

St. Francis, a nonprofit housed within Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, has been offering emergency services through its Dover branch since April 1, 2019. It originated in Wilmington, where it has been providing EMS coverage for nine years, Mr. Bundek said.

This update marked the first check-in since the Dover initiative was established, since the COVID-19 pandemic derailed a report last year.

Mr. Bundek said that, in the two years since the installation in the capital city, the service has maintained a 97.6% response rate compliance. The state sets goals for EMS organizations, so the rate for Dover means the group has met those goals 97.6% of the time, he explained.

Speaking to the division’s work, Mr. Bundek said staff provided CPR and other training to legislators and the state Division of Communication.

He said the organization also transported one of Kent County’s first suspected COVID-19 patients from Dover Air Force Base to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus in Dover.

St. Francis Healthcare also has instituted a program that ensures follow-up with patients. Mr. Bundek said this helps EMS professionals determine if there are people repeatedly calling 911 who could benefit from outside services. He said this program reduces the need for ambulance use.

He added that the service is working toward diversifying its staff, saying, “We want to reflect the community we serve.”

In Wilmington, there is a program to create pathways for people of color who would like to begin a career in EMS but do not have a family legacy in the field. He said 14 people have graduated through that class — one of whom is in training in Dover now.

Mr. Bundek said St. Francis is looking to offer a similar class in Dover in the spring.

“Once again, we feel like if we can bring folks in that represent the community that we’re serving, (it) makes us a better group when we are out in the field,” he said.

Mr. Bundek said the organization also is engaging in various training sessions for its members, including diversity and inclusion, active shooter, sexual harassment, use of social media, code of conduct and elder and child abuse.

Following the update on St. Francis, Councilman Andre Boggerty suggested Mr. Bundek look into partnering with the Capital School District to help students learn about careers in EMS.

Additionally, Councilman Fred Neil praised St. Francis Healthcare, saying it has “enhanced” the Dover area’s EMS coverage, which also includes services offered by Kent County and the Dover Fire Department, among others.

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