Just what is a Community Paramedic? Community paramedics are experienced, specially trained paramedics who function in a non-emergency capacity. They have at least 5 years experience as a paramedic with Durham County EMS and are internationally certified. 

Community Paramedics receive extra training to serve more vulnerable populations such as patients with a history of substance use, elder patients with chronic medical conditions, and patients with psychiatric concerns. Every agency builds their Community Paramedic program to meet the needs of their community. This often comes from 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 Community Paramedic program began by focusing on familiar faces, AKA frequent flyers or high system utilizers.

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

Today, we have rebranded our program as Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) because we are collaborating with various other health care entities across the county. We have two full-time Community Paramedics and one full-time Program Manager.

Our Community Paramedics are now a critical part of a much wider mission. We are still focused on opioid overdose follow-up, but we have also added fall prevention and vaccines for homebound patients to our portfolio of services. We receive referrals from our EMS crews, Department of Social Services Adult Protection Services, 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 needing 9-1-1 assistance and connections to community-based preventative health and other services. 

2022 NACo Achievement Award Recipient

The Durham County Mobile Integrated Healthcare/Community Paramedic (MIH/CP) Program is a proud recipient of the 2022 NACo Achievement Award. Achievement Awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The work of the MIH/CP program has helped to bridge the gap between healthcare and social determinant needs for at-risk and under-served community members.

“Our Community Paramedics work tirelessly to create a safer and healthier community through collaboration with partner agencies to provide wholistic and clinically appropriate healthcare options. The Office of Emergency Services team is incredibly proud of our community paramedics, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Mobile Integrated Healthcare program for being recognized by the NACo Achievement Awards program,” said OES Director Jim Groves.