Bridging the Gap - Ops and Admin working together

Using case studies from the Philadelphia Fire Department, this presentation will explore the synergy achieved by a close working relationship between operations and administration in an EMS system. We will explore the process by which a disconnected relationship between these task groups presents a barrier to success and quality improvement in a large EMS system. Operation Allies Welcome can be characterized as a months-long MCI in which Philadelphia EMS assisted with medical care for 29,713 refugees on over 300 flights. This operation required "all hands on deck" and was only successful through strong inter- and intra-department collaboration. This strengthened relationship within PFD EMS led to an innovate overdose tracking system which utilizes administrative data and real-time feedback from operations officers to identify overdose spikes and offer immediate harm reduction services in small target areas within the city. We are together stronger than the sum of our parts.