VIRGINIA — A new program aimed at improving medical response times in rural areas launched in northern St. Louis County on Monday, Jan. 19.
Sprint Medic is a pilot program funded through the rural emergency medical services aid package approved by the state Legislature in 2024.
Paramedics from the Virginia Fire Department will serve as Sprint Medics.
Two medics will work 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. One will be positioned in the Tower area and the other in the Cook, Orr and Bois Forte area.
Each Sprint Medic will drive an SUV equipped with advanced life support equipment such as cardiac monitors, ventilators and certain medications.
Their role will be to roam the service area, ready to respond to emergency calls immediately, while the partnering primary ambulance service travels to the scene in an ambulance.
The Sprint Medic also would be able to climb into the responding ambulance to continue providing care.
“Our paramedics are excited to be part of this pilot program to provide a higher level of care for residents in remote areas," stated Erik Jonassen, Virginia's deputy fire chief, in a news release.
"At the same time, I want to assure residents of Virginia that our participation will not affect our service within the city, and all costs are covered by the State of Minnesota."
A total of $2.7 million was allocated to fund the Sprint Medic pilot program through June of 2027.
The state is also funding a similar pilot program for Otter Tail and Grant counties.
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