What fire expects from private EMS

[Dustdevil]

My ADD kicked in...couldn't get through it all...36 pages sorry...

Read the entire topic before you reply.

No apology necessary. Just don't do it again.

And, while we're at it...

There is an automatic spell checker provided on this forum. Please use it.

[JPINFV]

36 pages sorry...

Hyperbole much?

[CBEMT]

The fun starts with the ALS units.

* Company supplies an EMT-B to drive the unit

* Fire department supplies either a civilian EMT-P or a fire fighter EMT-P

* Regardless of utilization, the ambulance company will reimburse the fire department for $84k/yr per civilian medic and $94k/yr per fire medic used. This includes pay, overtime, and benifits.

* Ambulance company will pay the fire department $400/month for room and board at the fire station for the ambulance and the EMT-B (I'd hate to be the EMT-.

I refuse to believe this is actually legal. This has kickback written all over it. I'd love to see Medicare descend on that place like the Fist of God.

I don't think I've ever seen a company go to such desperate lengths for a contract in my entire life. I can't even see how they're making money off this, considering what fire medics get paid on the Left Coast.

[Dustdevil]

I don't think I've ever seen a company go to such desperate lengths for a contract in my entire life. I can't even see how they're making money off this, considering what fire medics get paid on the Left Coast.

Exactly.

[firedoc5]

Giving a brief and condensed history of the EMS System I worked under and a very condensed story of my work history is the best way I can describe how some smaller systems work(ed). Some may think it is appalling, laughable, absurd, unique, etc. But here it is, in a nut shell.

The first private service in the area went into business in 1973, covering city and county. City Fire started EMT-A about the same time. But when the ALS system was developed and Paramedic program became available, both agencies had personnel attend and became ALS/ Paramedic certified. The private serv. and City council made agreement to where if the call were in the city limits, Fire would command the call and private serv. would transport and assist. City also did all Rescue operations, with the private serv. assisting when needed. If call was in the city then the patient was only charged for transport by the private serv. But all county ALS/BLS calls were handled by the private service. Rural Fire district did provide at least EMT-A and First Responders. And I may add, an outstanding Rescue Unit, heavy or other wise.

For a city call Fire responded with at least one Paramedic and the private serv. responded with at least one driver and one EMT of any level. Basically it was the "Johnny & Roy" system. Contrary to popular belief Fire and private serv. personnel worked well together for the most part.

My entire career in that city, between working for the private service and City Fire, that's the way I ran. I did it all. Started as an EMT-A for the private service and became a Paramedic, then after more than five years I moved on to City Fire, and even volunteered with the Rural District.

But since I left I know there has been some big changes and from my understanding, thank God I did when I did.