The Batavia Fire Department will begin dispatching specially trained firefighter-paramedics on scheduled home visits starting July 1, city officials announced Friday, marking the Fox Valley's first community paramedicine pilot program aimed at reducing preventable emergency calls among elderly and chronically ill residents.
Under the 18-month pilot, two paramedics certified in community health will conduct welfare checks, medication reviews, and fall-risk assessments for residents identified through a pattern of repeated 911 calls. The program, funded by a $380,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health and $95,000 in city matching funds, will initially serve up to 60 households in Batavia's 60510 zip code.