Dustdevil

Idiots. http://www.ems1.com/ems-management/articles/807425-Maine-officials-write-off-delinquent-ambulance-fees/ Maine officials write off delinquent ambulance fees Residents who can't afford medical services urged to contact fire chief to discuss hardship waiver By Melanie Creamer Portland Press Herald WINDHAM, Maine — Town councilors decided Tuesday night to write off some of Windham's $224,125 in unpaid bills for ambulance service and hire a collection agency to chase down delinquent accounts dating back to 2006. The fees are owed by nearly 500 people who have not made payments. Councilors debated whether to write off the entire sum, send it all to a collection agency or send a portion of it to a collection agency. Some of the accounts go back as far as 1998, said Brian Wolcott, the town's finance director. He questioned whether it would be fair for a resident to be billed for services after 10 years with no communication from the town. The council voted 7-0 to send all unpaid bills dating back to July 1, 2006, to a collection agency. The rest will be written off. Town Manager Tony Plante said people who can't afford to pay their bills will be able to fill out hardship waiver forms. ''There hasn't been a consequence for not responding'' in the past, Plante said after the council's vote. ''We need people to respond with insurance information, a payment, or a hardship request.'' The town has a contract with Medical Reimbursement Services in Windham to bill insurance companies and collect any unpaid fees. Company Vice President Shawn McPherson said in an interview Monday that patients who don't have health insurance can make payments of as little as $5 a month toward ambulance fees. The company sends patients six billing statements, including a hardship request form in the last statement. Following Tuesday's vote by the council, the company will send unpaid bills to a collection agency if patients fail to respond. Former Town Councilor Liz Wisecup spoke against the proposal to send unpaid bills to a collection agency. Wisecup was on the council in 2006 when it cleared another $227,000 in unpaid fees from the books. Wisecup argued that if unpaid bills were sent to a collection agency, residents would likely take a car to the hospital instead of being charged about $400 to be transported in an ambulance. She told councilors that it's unfair to change the rules on residents. Council Chairman William Tracy urged residents who can't afford medical services to contact Fire Chief Charlie Hammond to discuss a hardship waiver. ''We would be happy to help people work through that process with dignity,'' Tracy said. ''I wish no one had to use an ambulance. I also wish we had all sorts of money to pay for this. The reality is that this costs money . . . and we need to do something to make sure that we have the essential services to cover the town.''

Interesting article from an esteemed colleague. Although I think the article bites off more than it can chew in such a short column, I do think she raises an interesting question/point. I am equally interested in what others here think about it. http://www.ems1.com/ems-advocacy/articles/807569-Defragmenting-EMS Defragmenting EMS A voice that creates a roar that cannot be ignored By Jules Scadden "We all share the wound of fragmentation. And we can all share in the cure of unification." Gabrielle Roth There is one glaring fact in EMS — we are fragmented. While we actually agree on almost everything that is wrong with EMS, addressing how to fix those challenges and who should lead that charge is where dissention occurs. There is disagreement on who or what organization should be the leader or "voice" for EMS. When we don't like what one organization or group thinks, we just develop another in the belief it can fix what others have not. The results over the years are numerous "fragments" of a profession seen by others as "EMS doesn't know who they are." A recent article by an esteemed colleague asked "Where is our Martin Luther King?" Perhaps more pertinent questions are: → Who are all the fragments of EMS and how do we bring them together? → Why are the organizations, their partners and "grassroots efforts" that claim to represent EMS not coming together in a common mission with a strong united voice for EMS? A voice that creates a roar that cannot be ignored. In May and June this year, two important events by EMS practitioners will provide opportunities to present a united front and voice a common mission to our legislators and the public as a whole. Next month's first Annual EMS on the Hill Day — on May 3-4 — is an opportunity to bring the voices of EMS to Congress. Discussions on the various EMS list serves, online social networks and magazines often highlight the need for EMS to be recognized as an essential profession. EMS on the Hill Day is an opportunity to get the attention of our congressional leaders. The event is for everyone; groups and individuals, street practitioners, EMS leaders and allied healthcare partners from every state and organization. While NAEMT is sponsoring the event, you do not have to belong to them to participate. This initiative is an opportunity to use our voices, as a united constituency, to bring the concerns and challenges EMS faces every day to the attention of legislators who can make a difference. Remember, they work for us! EMS on the Hill Day is an opportunity to demonstrate the power to effect change when many voices unite under a single vision and work toward common goals for the betterment of EMS practitioners and EMS services as a whole. Later that month, The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride's annual event will take place during EMS Week May 15-21. The mission of the "Muddy Angels" is to "honor EMS personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve every day, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty.” The NEMSMBR brings together EMS practitioners from all over the country and abroad, their families and supporters to: → Remember EMS workers who have died in the line of duty → Raise public awareness about line of duty deaths and disabilities in the EMS profession → Honor EMS workers who continue to work despite dangerous safety conditions → Advocate for a national tracking of injuries, near misses and a line of duty deaths in EMS → Provide a safe, friendly and supportive environment for registered participants to bicycle → Promote healthy lifestyles for EMS providers through physical activity and nutrition The ride in May will have three starting points. The northern route will begin in Bennington, Vt., and South Portland, Maine, on May 15, meeting in Nashua, N.H., that evening. Both starting locations experienced a LODD this past year and opening ceremonies will take place at each point to remember and honor those individuals. The southern route will begin in Paintsville, Ky., and on May 21, both routes will meet at a designated spot in Maryland to ride into Washington DC together. On May 22, there will be a brief Ceremonial Service honoring the Muddy Angels (all participants, sponsors, supporters, and coordinators), EMS services and personnel — especially those along our routes, EMS and public safety officials, special invited guests, and other important individuals with a dinner and dance following the ceremony to mark the end of this year's EMS Week ride. The Board of Directors of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride fully supports the National EMS Memorial Service "in its tireless effort to recognize the losses of our peers and the phenomenal support it gives to the families of our lost brethren." The Muddy Angels, in support of the National EMS Memorial Service, will additionally hold a special one-day event on June 25 in Colorado. The ride, starting in Denver and ending in Colorado Springs, supports the National EMS Memorial Service and the families of the honorees. EMS must not be fragmented in honoring and remembering the individuals and their families who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. These events represent the opportunity to unite EMS, set aside personal agendas and bring the fragments together. It is not a single person or "Martin Luther King" or one organization that will "fix" EMS. Just as defragmenting a computer's hard drive improves function, bringing the fragments of EMS together can only improve and enhance the EMS profession. "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." Martin Luther King Jr.

Not disagreeing at all. I just wanted to clarify exactly what it was you were protesting. There were a lot of issues raised by the article, so I wasn't sure. Right or wrong, the media loves race-baiting, and this story delivers that.

While I agree that this doesn't strike me as front page material in a city as big as LA, I'm curious as to what you find wrong with the story. Being half a continent away, I lack the perspective to see a problem with it.

Ahhhem... back to the topic at hand. http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14886097 Deputy charged in jailing of Leadville fire captain By Mike McPhee The Denver Post POSTED: 04/14/2010 09:09:34 PM MDT UPDATED: 04/15/2010 09:35:44 AM MDT The district attorney for Lake County has charged a sheriff's deputy with three crimes relating to the incident last month, in which he arrested and jailed a Leadville fire captain who was responding to a medical emergency call to treat a woman with a neck injury. Prosecutor Mark Hurlbert said he has charged Deputy Steven James with first-degree official misconduct, obstructing a medical person and trespassing on public property, which is defined as keeping a public official from doing their duty. Each charge is a Class II misdemeanor and carries the potential of two years in jail if convicted. James was given the summons Wednesday and will have his first court appearance in 60 to 90 days. Additionally, Hurlbert chose to file no charges against Leadville Fire Capt. Dan Dailey. On the evening of March 27 a Leadville woman drove to the sheriff's office to file an abuse complaint against her husband. While talking to James and Deputy Arin Hart, she complained of a neck injury. James had the sheriff's dispatcher in the next room issued an emergency call for an ambulance. But Fire Capt. Dailey was monitoring the radio and responded, as well as the ambulance. When he arrived with two other firefighters in the sheriff's office, James and Hart ordered the firefighters to leave. Dailey refused. So the deputies handcuffed him and put him in jail while the two other firefighters left. Police Chief Mike Leak arrived at the jail awhile later and removed Dailey from his cell. Fire Chief Robert Harvey said later that Dailey had acted appropriately by responding to the emergency call. Leadville officials said there has been a two-year feud between the Sheriff Ed Holte and the fire department over who should be dispatched first to emergency calls. Holte believes the deputies should respond to most calls first to assess the situation, then call the fire department if needed. However, Mayor Bud Elliott accuses Holte of violating an agreement between the city of Leadville and Lake County over the choice of first responders. Hurlbert sent investigators to Leadville shortly after the jailing and released his conclusions on Wednesday. "Our primary concern was the safety of the public," Hurlbert said. "We felt the deputy kept the EMT (Dailey) from treating the person and that the EMT was merely doing his duty." Hurlbert said his office is continuing to investigate another incident last week in which Deputy John Ortega used a Taser stun gun on 30 high school students during a career fair at the school. Ortega, who was immediately suspended for one week without pay, said the students had asked him to Taser them and had given him permission. School officials said the students did not give their permission. Mike McPhee can be reached at (303) 954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com

All I did was quote the article. I believe you are thinking of 46c's comment.

No wonder AMR is having to import medics from across the country to run that system.

Basically what they are demanding is that EMS helicopters be exempted from the safety regulations that are imposed upon commercially operating aircraft when they are not loaded with a patient. The majority of EMS helo crashes occur when they are not loaded with a patient to begin with. Exempt them from safety measures and that figure will only increase. As if the lives of the crew are worth any less consideration than that of a patient. Idiots. But remember... firemen are all about "life safety"! Just ask them!

If you lived in the NE United States, you would.

Heh... every time I drive through Jackson (which is a few times a year, at least), that song comes into my head and I can't get rid of it for days.

The problem here is that they are not charging for ambulance service. They're charging for firemonkey first responders, which I'm sure the caller did not request. This isn't the first article we've seen here where people were contesting charges for first responders who never even laid a hand on the patient.

Hopefully it remains tension, and doesn't progress to full-blown (no pun intended) sex. I like my pr0n hardcore, thank you. Regardless, I want that ponytail dangling in my face in the worst way! Ha! Nice catch! The California spin on that was indeed classic! I don't know about the gear, but I do know that ENG masts connecting with power wires does indeed result in the van going up in serious flames. And it happens way too often. Although it was cute in the beginning, they are starting to seriously overplay the gay card on this show. Give it a break and give Tyler's character a little depth. Most places I have worked, they yelled at you for both! Hmmm... didn't catch the Hindu reference, just the Buddha reference. But I wouldn't say he was being "anti". Yep. I'd have to call "abandonment" on that one. Very bad decision. Nobody can refuse for an adult patient. CONTINUED... 14) OK, I thought the foreshadowing was for an incident with the guy running the power tool, not the one who ended up going over the side. Heh... every episode now presents a scenario where they try to trick you into predicting the wrong accident. They're getting easy to pick out. 15) Was that Boone doing religious proselytizing on Tyler, an admitted non religious man? I about expected Boone to say he was Muslim. Interesting that Tyler was ultimately the more culturally sensitive one of the two. 16) Within Judaism, one may break the Sabbath to save a life. Does not removing footwear, steel toed or otherwise, in a house of worship where it would otherwise be required, violate anything in the Moslem religion? Depends on the Imam they follow. The problem with Islam is that their practices don't come from the Qur'an. They come from the Hadith, which are lists of rules or "laws" made up by man long after Mohammed's (PBUH) time. And those practices vary in both proscription and observance. Of course, a lot of Christian sects do the same nonsense. 20) Glen gives a nice pep talk to Dr Diane. Stand up for yourself when it comes to patient care. If he doesn't shave that goddamn beard, I'm gonna fly out there and slap it off of him. 22) Actually nice of Tyler to attempt to tell the ER crew to respect the Moslem woman's religious beliefs. He seems to say one thing, then act another, but it was correct for him to do as he did on arrival at the ER. Might save the hospital a religious discrimination lawsuit. Very cool of him. Too bad Boone got all the credit. 24) Ira finally got the message not to call, but then starts coughing up blood. The one time he really does need the help, he declines it. Yep. And I hold Glenn responsible for his death. That's what, two or three he's killed this season? Fired! 26) Ira the Frequent Flyer, died of Legionnaire's Disease? Everyone is at fault for not determining it, but due to how rare, they'd probably be not held accountable for it. They should be. It's not like they had to diagnose it. All they had to do was recognise that he was sick, which would have taken all of 2 minutes. However, the hospital staff missed it too, which is a little unrealistic, as we know for a fact that he had a fever and junky lungs. Morphine for N/V/D? Where do I sign up? Seriously. Ipecac and Bisacodyl sales just went way up in SF.

We shouldn't even have to post this kind of basic simplicity, but obviously we do. http://www.ems1.com/ambulances-emergency-vehicles/tips/806715-5-ways-to-protect-your-ambulance/ 5 ways to protect your ambulance Articles about ambulance theft pop up just enough on EMS1.com to convince me that theft is an actual problem that could happen anytime and anywhere. I have recently read about ambulances stolen at scenes by psychotic patients running out of the emergency department, and even an intoxicated bystander that hoped in the driver's seat as the paramedics treated a patient in the back. With the potential for catastrophic injury or death as well as a financial loss of more than $100,000, it seems preventing ambulance theft should be a high priority for EMS agencies. Consider these tips for your SOG on ambulance security: 1. Always lock the doors to the driver compartment, patient compartment, and equipment compartments. 2. If you are worried about not being able to restart the engine, utilize an ignition interlock system that allows the motor to idle, but not be able to be put in gear without a key. 3. If there are multiple units responding — like an ambulance and a first response fire truck — assign one person to stay with and monitor the vehicles. 4. Minimize time out of and away from the vehicle, whether you are at an incident, at the grocery store, or parked at the hospital. 5. Park in a location where the ambulance is easily visible from the scene and to bystanders. Listen to more tips about preventing ambulance theft and theft of ambulance contents on a recent episode of the EMS Office Hours podcast. Have you ever had an ambulance or contents stolen? Does your department have an SOG for preventing vehicle theft? How does your organization prevent ambulance theft or theft of contents from the ambulance? Share your thoughts and ideas in the member comments section below. About the author Greg Friese is an e-learning designer, blogger, podcaster, author, presenter, and paramedic. Read more from him at the EverydayEmsTips.com blog. Submit tip ideas to Greg by e-mailing him at greg.friese@ems1.com. Connect with Greg at Facebook.com/gfriese or twitter.com/gfriese.

California could use a good taste of Texas style EMS management. http://www.ems1.com/ambulances-emergency-vehicles/articles/806136-Potential-new-ambulance-services-in-Calif-raise-new-debates/ Potential new ambulance services in Calif. raise new debates Paramedics Plus could take over American Medical Response By Chris Metinko Contra Costa Times OAKLAND, Calif. — A plan to bring a new ambulance service to Alameda County is causing a debate that's getting noisier than blaring sirens. County supervisors are set to vote this month on a committee's recommendation that they enter contract negotiations with Texas-based Paramedics Plus. The recommendation follows a recent open bidding process. If awarded a contract, Paramedics Plus would replace American Medical Response, which has been operating in Alameda County for nearly 40 years under its current name or previous incarnations. The selection process, however, has prompted questions about which government records should be made public and which should remain confidential. Last month, the county's health care services agency released the selection committee's final scoring, indicating that Paramedics Plus had submitted a lower bid than American Medical on a contract. But American Medical officials protested, contending that Paramedics Plus had underbid. American filed a Public Records Act request to review documents associated with the bidding, including Paramedics Plus's proposal and the committee's scoring sheets. County officials denied the request, citing a 2006 state Supreme Court ruling that gave agencies the right to withhold bidding information if the disclosure could hinder contract negotiations with the winning bidder. The court stated that a government agency's ability to negotiate could be "hampered because the proposer's doubt as to what the competition is offering would be eliminated" thus creating the potential for a higher cost to taxpayers. County Counsel Richard Winnie said the bidding information will eventually be made public, but not until negotiations are complete and the contract is sent to the supervisors for final approval as per the Supreme Court ruling. However, the dispute has some critics including some county officials concerned that the public is being kept in the dark about negotiations for receiving a vital health service. Alameda County Supervisor Gail Steele said she finds the secrecy aspect troubling, but added that she believes county staff knew of the intense competition for such a contract and "bent over backwards" to make sure all proper channels were followed. "I have to believe they did their own due diligence," Steele said. "I do have faith in the process." Other counties, however, have followed a different process. In 2004-05, Contra Costa County posted all bids for its ambulance service on a public Web site before it even began negotiating its contract. "This isn't a contract for real estate or something along those lines," Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia said. "The public receives these services. The public would want to know what went on." Steele and the four other Alameda County supervisors are expected to vote April 27 on whether to authorize the start of negotiations with Paramedics Plus. But the supervisors will not be able to see the bids and score sheets until they are set to approve the actual contract meaning the documents won't become public record until just days before the final action. "In theory, you have created a process where you may be able to get the best price although that could be argued," said Peter Scheer, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition. "However, also you've created a not very viable decision-making process." Scheer admits, though, that it's impossible to expect decision-makers to read every single word of every contract that passes through a view with which Steele concurs. "It's impossible to look at everything," Steele said. "That's why we have staff and great department heads here." Nevertheless, Steele said she has received "mountains of mail" concerning the contract. American Medical, meanwhile, is appealing the county's rejection of its protest of the Paramedics Plus recommendation. "We have protests coming from every different side," Steele said. American Medical employees already have appeared at supervisors meetings, asking the county to reconsider the recommendation, and expressing fear that they could lose their jobs if their employer loses its county contract. The issue caused the county to issue a "fact sheet" saying the county expects any new ambulance service provider to rehire American Medical paramedics. The union representing those employees, the National Emergency Medical Services Association, has come out in favor of Paramedics Plus through a vote of top union personnel statewide. American Medical employs about 450 people in Alameda County. But the company would need only about 130 of them if it loses the contract, company spokesman Jason Sorrick said. "We've lost contracts in other counties and left gracefully," Sorrick said. "Here, we just want to see why we weren't chosen, but we can't even do that. We have to file a protest, and we're not even sure what we're protesting." Sorrick said it's in the best interests of not just American Medical, but the public to have full access to the bids. If a contractor were to underbid, it might later come back to the county asking for changes such as higher transport fees the amount of money health care providers pay the ambulance service every time they take a patient. Such changes would cost patients more money, he said. Nevertheless, county officials said, keeping the bids secret usually protects both the county and its residents. "I think it's OK as long as the county is not setting up a new rule," Steele said. Winnie said that after his discussion with the county's General Services Agency he believes the county has been consistent and does have a policy not to make bid public. "My conclusion is that we do have a consistent practice of not making public the bids until negotiations of a contract are complete," he said. "There is also a strong business rationale supporting this policy." Robin Johansen, a partner at the law firm Remcho, Johansen & Purcell in San Leandro representing Paramedics Plus, had no comment on the bidding process.

Hopefully we'll see some arrests and restraining orders over this one. http://www.ems1.com/volunteer-rural-ems/articles/806593-Ambulances-removed-by-firefighters-in-Pa-dispute Ambulances removed by firefighters in Pa. dispute Members said the forcible removal of vehicles on private property amounted to theft By Tom Quigley The Express-Times LEBANON TWP., Pa. — Township ambulance squad members angered by a Wednesday night township committee decision moving squad responsibilities to the fire department gathered Saturday in their West Hill Road headquarters seeking public support. After the vote Wednesday, an estimated 10 firefighters showed up at squad headquarters, stood between two squad members and the station's two ambulances, and drove the fully equipped vehicles to an unknown location, squad members said. One of the squad members said she felt intimidated by the men. The firefighters also took a backboard from the squad building, members said. Members said the ambulances are partially owned by the rescue squad and the forcible removal of them on private property amounted to theft. "The public safety of Lebanon Township is at the most risk of life and property loss that I have ever been aware of," said township Committeeman Brian Wunder, who resigned his position with the squad about two weeks before the vote. Wunder said the township attorney still argued that he could not vote on the resolution. Wunder on Saturday said he was virtually kicked out of the meeting. Squad members said the fire department has only a few trained emergency medical technicians compared to the rescue squad. Township Mayor Jay Weeks voted for the resolution, along with township Committee members George Piazza and Patricia Shriver. "The ambulances are in Lebanon Township's name," the mayor said. "I'm going to let the lawyers handle this. We've been fooling around with this for the past three or four years." Shriver said a "go-round" with the rescue squad began a long time ago "when they did not get their books audited, and that's the law." She said the volunteer squad wants to become a paid squad. "We felt we never wanted to charge our residents even if it gets paid through insurance," Shriver said. She said the township fire department has wanted to work with the township for a long time on this. Attorney Ronald Peles represents the rescue squad and attended Saturday's meeting. He said the township committee effectively shut out the public by making the change by resolution instead of an ordinance, which requires a public hearing. He said he will ask a judge for a temporary restraining order preventing the township committee from continuing to implement the resolution. Piazza said the township committee will pass an ordinance if they have to. He said squad members and firefighters all know one another and there was no intimidation or threatening tactics used by the firefighters who removed the ambulances. "They were just doing what they're supposed to be doing," Piazza said. He said township officials "have always had a problem with the squad leadership, not the members." He said the members of the rescue squad are a great group of people and he knows of some who are already willing to join the fire department and continue doing what they've always done. He said the leadership of the 40-member rescue squad "do whatever they please and we have nothing to say." "It's not working properly over there," he said of the squad. "Over a period of time we lost control of our squad. It's not a secret. We've had arguments at the meetings." He said the squad's leaders took out a loan a few months ago without informing the township committee. "We were left in the dark," he said. Piazza said squad leaders want financial support from the township for ambulances without being accountable to the township. "They want to be their own little gang over there and it's just not working," Piazza said. Peles said the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office is going to have to take look at the situation. The rescue squad began operations in 1968. Township Committeeman Frank Morrison voted against the resolution. Township Fire Chief Warren Gabriel could not be reached for comment Saturday.

As if his medics are capable of diagnosing collapsed lungs, lol.

Sorry for the confusion. I had just finished posting this thread, where the IAFC touts it's 2009 "accomplishments". The number one accomplishment was opposition of FAA regulation. http://www.emtcity.com/index.php/topic/18215-attack-of-the-firemonkeys/

Yeah, I know that refusing to pay an EMS bill is the norm, not the exception, so I fail to see how this is news. But the article is just so hilarious on so many levels that it's an über entertaining read. Check it out! I went to paramedic refresher with the loser medics in this county, and I have to say they are the most horrible bunch of medics I have ever had the displeasure of associating with. [Comments in-line] http://www.ems1.com/legislation-funding/articles/806586-Calif-man-refuses-to-pay-911-bill/ Calif. man refuses to pay 911 bill San Bernardino residents can pay an annual paramedic subscription of $24 or $200 per paramedic response By Andrew Edwards San Bernardino County Sun SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — To Edward Poffek, paying $200 for paramedics when he already pays taxes is just ridiculous. Agreed! Especially since they don't even transport! He called for an ambulance, not a house full of monkeys. A 30-year resident of San Bernardino, Poffek never had to call 9-1-1 for medical service until Sept. 16 of last year. The first time he ever heard of the charge was when he got the bill in November. "I refuse to pay," he said. "I'm not going to pay it. They can take me to court. They can file a lien." Again, most people don't pay, so I'm not sure how this is news. "The Police Department doesn't charge if I call 9-1-1. It's a public service," Poffek said later. Charging for emergency medical services has become an increasingly populary way for local governments to shore up their budgets. Ding! Ding! Ding! It's called robbing Peter to pay Paul. Very sound fiscal practice. And exactly why California is bankrupt. Loma Linda's city council joined San Bernardino and Montclair by approving a similar fee in February, resulting in a wave of public outcry. In response, Loma Linda is taking up the issue again and will discuss possible changes to the program during its meeting tonight. But unlike Loma Linda, fire officials in San Bernardino and Montclair said the charges were instituted, not in response to any specific budget troubles, but to account for the increased expense of advanced paramedic services. But wait... didn't the IAFC tell you that this was going to MAKE you money so you could save your overpaid firemonkeys? If it's costing you so much, why not fire the idiot who talked you into it and contract it out to someone with better financial management (and medical) skills? San Bernardino residents can pay an annual paramedic subscription of $24 or $200 per paramedic response. The billing system has been in place for at least 10 years, and the council reduced the response charge from $250 in 2006, said Bernard Horak, the Fire Department's emergency medical services coordinator. The fee can be waived for low-income residents, Horak said. Fire departments typically receive more calls for medical attention than actual fires, but the billing structure in San Bernardino and some other cities appears to be based on the premise that advanced paramedic services go above and beyond fire departments' traditional duties. No shit, Sherlock! Way above! So why are they doing it? San Bernardino added paramedic services in 1977, but that decision was not matched with a commensurate increase in funding, Horak said. And it has taken you thirty-three years to figure this out? FAIL! The department has since grown from two paramedic squads to nearly 70 paramedics aboard a dozen engines, a hook-and-ladder and a single paramedic squad. And maybe TWO out of seventy who actually want to be paramedics. Paramedics, unlike less-trained emergency medical technicians, are able to insert breathing tubes into patients and deliver intravenous medication. I wouldn't go as far as to say they are "able". Authorised might be a better choice of terms. Regardless, we have yet to see a study that suggests that makes any difference. Horak said San Bernardino paramedics have recently taken on training to detect heart attacks with what's called 12 lead EKG technology and to deliver medication directly into the bone marrow if a patient's lungs are collapsed. Whoopeeee!!! Welcome to the twentieth-century, SBD! Good luck getting a doctor on the other end of that biophone to interprete it for you. "We have a drill now that will allow you to get right into the bone," Horak said. And this is a good thing? In Montclair, Fire Chief Troy Ament said his department took on advanced paramedic work in 2001. The subscription fee program was created at that time to pay for the new work, which was previously handled by a contractor. LOL@ "advanced paramedic work". There's no such thing in SoCal. And they admit they took over the work and are failing miserably at managing it. So why are they still doing it? San Bernardino publicizes its paramedic subscriptions by occasionally putting notices in water and trash bills, but the charge has surprised Poffek and others. "Anytime somebody receives a service it can be a difficult realization," Horak said. The "difficult realisation" is on your end, Horak. It's the realisation that you simply bit off more than you can chew with this. Give it up! Horak said fire officials to again publicize the charges during the fiscal year that begins July 1. Ament similarly said Montclair officials are working on a new marketing plan for their paramedic subscriptions. Publicise it til the cows come home. I hope they publicise that citizens simply don't have to pay this extortion and you go even further into the red. And anytime government has to "market" something, they're doing something wrong. Stop it!

Thanks for opposing legislation to prevent more senseless HEMS deaths. The families of the dead will be forever grateful, I'm sure. You are such heroic, selfless lifesavers. Arseholes. http://www.ems1.com/air-medical-transport/articles/806760-Why-is-air-medical-transport-still-killing-us Why is air medical transport still killing us? Headlines such as 'crew members killed in air medical crash' are not new news By Art Hsieh EMS1 Editorial Advisor Since September last year, there have been four crashes of medical helicopters, resulting in 12 deaths. The latest came last month in Brownsville, Tenn., where all three crew members died. The National Transportation Safety Board issued its preliminary report into the crash Monday but is yet to rule on the cause. Headlines such as 'crew members killed in air medical crash' are not new news — which is concerning. Several columnists and authors have commented on this issue, from Bryan Bledsoe and Paul Mazurek on EMS1 to New York Times reporter Christine Negroni. The NTSB issued a report in 2006 that identified safety weaknesses in air medical operations and provided recommendations to the risk of crashing. That report was based on a study of 55 crashes that occurred from 2002 to 2005, resulting in 54 fatalities. Between 2007 and 2008, 35 deaths occurred during nine crashes. Subsequent meetings between medical helicopter industry representatives and the Federal Aviation Administration have focused on trying to improve the safety and reliability of air medical transport. In a 2009 survey on how medical helicopter providers responded to the FAA "best practices" recommendations, inspectors noted the following adoption rates: Decision-making skills and risk assessment programs – 94 percent * Response to FAA guidance on Loss of Control (LOC) and Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) avoidance – 89 percent * Integration of operation control center – 89 percent * Installation of Flight Data Recorders and devices that can re-create a flight – 11 percent * Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) equipage – 41 percent * Use of radar altimeters – 89 percent Yet helicopters are still crashing. The number of medical helicopters and the number of flight hours logged have grown exponentially. Critics have pointed to issues surrounding the medical necessity of: Using helicopters for emergencies * The staffing model of having one pilot aboard * The lack of federal regulatory oversight * Flying under inherently very dangerous conditions * The potential pressure felt by operators to remain financially solvent. There is a growing amount of attention being paid to this area of emergency medical transport, and debate. Yet we're still crashing, with tragic results. The National EMS Memorial Service has honored EMS personnel who died in the line of duty since 1993. While noting that the service does not track all fatalities in the United States, it is sobering to note that 215 of its 538 inductees died from air medical crashes. That's almost 40 percent.

Everything I know about Jackson, Mississippi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMN7fGZW_BY

Okay, finally got it watched: Marisa dreaming about sex with teh Rabbit? I hope that is not foreshadowing. Zips up her flightsuit awful fast! Meant to mention this before, but Marisa’s helmet doesn’t even have straps on it. Glenn talking about “Hard ass” in front of a patient? Fired! Glenn texting while caring for a patient? Fired! 35 y/o female with N/V/D treated with O2 and MS? WTF!?! Are there no limits to this broad’s fuck-ups? Fired! Looks like Dr. Joe will be back. He’s still in the opening credits. Nancy asks “Where the Hell is Rabbit?” They just got on scene and never even requested a helo! And if she were half-way competent, she wouldn't need to request a helo three times per shift. Fired! 10 mg of MS to an unconscious patient? For what? Another bimbo screw-up! Fired! Good for Dr. Carnahan for not allowing lazy paperwork excuses. Bimbo pulls a completed run sheet out of her laptop, which has no printer. Continuity director fired! How can the Dr. not know about Nancy and Rabbit after they showed up together at Christmas dinner? They’re still faking that air-bubbling sound when IV meds are pushed. Foley artist fired! Not to mention that he’s pushing meds into a needle port with no needle. Boone and Tyler run off and leave the ambulance wide open in the city. Idiots. Fired! “Atropine” was clearly labelled “Sodium Chloride”. Good thing this city has a “you call, we haul” policy, because their medics are obviously incapable of competent patient assessment. This is only validated when the “frequent flyer” dies because of EMS incompetence. Fired! Wow! A ground crew actually beat the helo to a scene! I hope this is a trend! Dr. @ hospital talking on a CB RADIO! Propmaster fired! Nice job on the retrograde, but a cric would have been more indicated. Nancy and Dr. Di finally seem to have found common ground after the retrograde. Muslims gave all their thanks to Boone and treated Tyler like crap. Ingrates! Tyler is quickly becoming the only likeable character on the show, besides Marisa. Although, Rabbit is beginning to redeem himself. Now if he'd just get rid of the ridiculously stereotypical aviator mirror glasses. By the time Rabbit and Marisa get in the elevator, she’s back to the zipper down to her navel thing again. They glossed over Nancy’s reinstatement as if she were never suspended. I’d like to know how they justify that.

Yep. Now you can forget about seeing a degree requirement in this century.

Yeah, it's not like they couldn't find a muscle on that kid. Anal Valium FTW.

If his employer doesn't pay for this, then they suck ass. No, it's not their responsibility, but it's the right thing to do.

Yep. They're not stealing it. We're letting them walk away with it.