Estonian Defence Forces oppose two-person ambulance crews — ERR News
The Estonian Defence Forces have criticized the Ministry of Social Affairs’ plan to switch some ambulance brigades to two-person crews and reduce the number of crews. According to the military, this could complicate ensuring the emergency medical service’s capacity during a crisis or war, ERR News reports.
Personnel reserve for crises
In a response to an inquiry from the Tartu Ambulance Service, the Defence Forces stressed that the uninterrupted operation of emergency medical care is critically necessary from the perspective of national defence. They noted that recommendations for the development of the ambulance service through 2035, approved by the minister, also identify a personnel reserve for crises as one of the advantages of three-person crews.
The current training model for ambulance workers, implemented in cooperation with the Defence Forces, is also designed for three-person crews. The military stated that the experience of exercises and real calls shows that at least three medics are needed to effectively assist a severely injured patient or take initial action in the event of a mass influx of casualties.
Concerns over patient care
The Defence Forces pointed out that the arrival of an additional three-person crew increases the number of medics at the scene by three at once, whereas a two-person crew adds only two. In their view, this could cause staff shortages and affect patient care.
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The military also referred to the experience of Russia’s war against Ukraine: in a crisis or wartime situation, when the need for medical assistance increases, not all additionally summoned personnel may be able to report for work. According to the Defence Forces’ assessment, three-person crews can, if necessary, be quickly reorganized into two-person crews while retaining a personnel reserve.
Ministry’s position
The Ministry of Social Affairs plans to reform the ambulance service by 2028. It предусматривает expanding the network of bases, changing the locations of crews with doctors, reducing their number, switching some crews to two-person staffing, and having fewer night crews.
Minister of Social Affairs Carmen Joller previously stated that the reform is intended to improve the quality of emergency medical care. According to her, ambulance bases will be located closer to people, which should reduce crew arrival times. The ministry said that the plan is based on preliminary analysis and modeling.
