Sunnyvale searches for solution to paramedic shortage

Sunnyvale public safety officers are optimistic a new study will find solutions to the city’s lack of paramedics.The Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to study expanding the city’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) to include city-operated paramedic services. The Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers Association raised the alarm last year about the city’s deficient paramedic support, and proponents are relying on the study to provide much needed data — as well as solutions.

Sunnyvale doesn’t have separate police and fire departments. DPS is integrated, meaning all officers receive police, fire and EMT training. Paramedics differ from EMTs in that they can apply more advanced procedures in dire medical emergencies.



Devon Klein, president of the Public Safety Officers Association, said the difference in care is vital during more extreme medical emergencies. Two paramedics are needed to transport a patient in an ambulance, and the county’s ambulances can be slow to respond.Klein said the county’s response times and shortage of paramedics disproportionately affects Sunnyvale because other jurisdictions have paramedics on their first responder teams, as part of their fire departments.

Sunnyvale does not. That’s why the city needs to look into other solutions, he said.“I’m thrilled that the city council listened to us enough to bring this forward for a study session,” Klein told San José Spotlight.

“It clearly shows they’re willing to look into this issue.” Related Stories January 15, 2025 Santa Clara County aims to restore East San Jose hospital services December 23, 2024 Silicon Valley health care provider plans two medical campuses January 27, 2023 Santa Clara County ambulance service scrutinized Santa Clara County contracts with American Medical Response for countywide ambulance services. DPS Chief Phan Ngo said an agreement with the county and ambulance provider has given Sunnyvale two quick-response vehicles, each staffed with one paramedic, to respond to medical emergencies throughout the city.

Even with this agreement, Ngo said Sunnyvale residents have long wait times for ambulances, an issue impacting the entire county.“It’s worth studying,” Ngo told San José Spotlight. “I know that there are no easy solutions, but it’s worthwhile for the city to look into it and find some options or perhaps solutions to some of the challenges that we’ve been facing.

”Ngo said the department doesn’t have specific data on the number of medical calls it receives, but he hasn’t heard of a significant increase. That said, as the city’s population grows, so does the need for emergency services. Sunnyvale has a population of approximately 151,000 residents.

Former Sunnyvale Mayor Tony Spitaleri, who worked for the Palo Alto Fire Department for more than 30 years, said while the city providing paramedics might not solve the issue of slow transport times, paramedics can better stabilize patients while waiting for an ambulance.“In Sunnyvale, it’s become a problem, because the response times are longer and longer,” Spitaleri told San José Spotlight. “We’re sitting there watching a patient slowly going downhill because we don’t have the lifesaving drugs on hand.

”Councilmembers voiced their desire to explore the need for city-operated paramedic services during the Feb. 13 meeting.“Hearing from our public safety officers as well as our residents, this is an issue that has been there for some time now,” Mayor Larry Klein said.

“Understanding how we can augment what the county is currently providing, making sure that we evaluate those response times and what are services that the city should be providing, is part of that whole study and I think the sooner we get that study going, the better.”Contact B. Sakura Cannestra at sakura@sanjosespotlight.

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