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Developing a Fire Based Paramedic Service
I am trying to get information on starting an ALS service on a fire department that runs BLS only. Especially in an economic climate where we get ALS free from a private ambulance company. Trying to sell this concept to the town founding fathers is difficult at best. Anyone that has done this or have any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Rob
Thank You,
Rob
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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I don't share the same sentiment as Ralph especially about more money for fire suppression etc, the politics involved tend to see things different. In many cases EMS is a money maker for municipalities, even with the extra costs incurred to maintain it.
In this case, I see you really fighting an uphill battle. It would be very difficult to convince someone to upgrade a service, if they are already recieving the service at a cost. The battle goes with can you provide a more efficient service at a lower cost? Is there response time issues with the current provider? Are there other issues involved with the current provider to make you want to go ALS? Is the reason to look at ALS just to help bolster run numbers or to increase staffing? Just because you want to go ALS, would be very difficult to sell.
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Ralph, I'm not dissing the operations in your area and understand what you guys do can work and in my response to the OP, I mentioned it would be an uphill, difficult battle. What I don't share is the sentiment about a FD going to a private EMS provider which helps free money for fire suppression. I was addressing the reality of politics involved and in many cases, cutting EMS tends to lead to a cut in staffing for fire suppression, despite "freed up" funds.
The difference here is that I can't really see a reason for a dept to go ALS here if they are already getting the service by a private. It would be an uphill battle and there would have to be things to "sell" as to why the FD should go ALS, other than because they want to. I'm not saying EMS only belongs in the fire service, nor one of the anti-EMS crowd who says it doesn't. Each situation is independant and while I would prefer doing fire suppression and spend time on a pump or truck, I understand the EMS issue and how it fits for us. I'm not saying it works everywhere, but I have seen private EMS use he same excuses to take over a municipality, low ball a bid, get in the door and things change and not always for the good.
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Permalink Reply by blair4630 on
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As you see, there are already different opinions on this, and there will be many on both sides of the fence. And as John pointed out, and also as both John and Ralph explained, each area has their own situations that dictate what may be a better option. There are many delivery models for EMS....private, for-profit...private, non-profit...fire based...municipal 3rd service...public utility model...those are the ones off the top of my head.
The point is...none are perfect. Each area has unique things about the government, demographics, financial standing, politics, etc. etc. etc. that may make one of those listed above the BEST option for THAT area. That doesn't necessarily mean that the private EMS service you speak of is the best option, so maybe your FD would provide a better service. If that's the case, then research it, find proof, then provide that proff to the powers that be, and the community. If you find in your research that the private service actually provides better service than you FD would (for whatever reason, that's not a gig), then stick with the status quo.
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