Community paramedics are experienced, specially trained paramedics who function in a non-emergency capacity. They have at least five years of experience as paramedics with Durham County EMS and are internationally certified.

Community paramedics receive additional training to serve more vulnerable populations, such as patients with a history of substance use, elderly patients with chronic medical conditions, and patients with psychiatric concerns. Each agency tailors its Community Paramedic program to meet the needs of its community, often based on a Community Needs Assessment developed by a public health department or hospital.

In 2017, Durham County Emergency Medical Services embarked on a new opportunity to serve our community by starting the Community Paramedic program. Our program initially focused on familiar faces, also known as frequent flyers or high system utilizers.

Through a statewide project, we also began following up with opioid overdose patients, providing them with education, access to medication-assisted treatment and detox centers, and life-saving Narcan (naloxone). Individuals who are homeless or have other medical vulnerabilities received higher priority on our caseload.

Today, we have rebranded our program as Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) because we now collaborate with various other healthcare entities across the county. We have four full-time community paramedics, two peer support providers, and one full-time program manager.

Our community paramedics are now a critical part of a much broader mission. While we remain focused on opioid overdose follow-up, we have also expanded our services to include fall prevention and vaccines for homebound patients. We receive referrals from our EMS crews, the Department of Social Services' Adult Protection Services, the Duke Outpatient Clinic, and other sources. Our community paramedics also respond to 9-1-1 calls for overdoses and psychiatric emergencies.

Community paramedics are a vital link between vulnerable individuals who need 9-1-1 assistance and connections to community-based preventative health and other services.