I remember a few things about the station 14 Fiasco and I say “Fiasco” because it was…. on both parts. There was certainly agreement and then disagreement between both parties. However at the end of the day, evicting M52 from the then Station 21, only served to hurt the citizens because Fire admin was trying to prove a point. I didn’t agree with the decisions made on our part, but to not have an ambulance in that district so the property would be easier to sell without ACP on the premises was wrong. It’s that simple. Pointing fingers and blaming can go on forever and both sides have some valid arguments in the history. Fragmenting a county wide service delivery for EMS is a step in the wrong direction. Consolidation is something that BFD is very proactive about when it pertains to Fire Department personnel. I have yet to see this cross over to EMS. Why?

We can work together and I’ve seen it / done it and when it works well…. it works great. Then something like this BFD ambulance thing pops up and is flown low under the radar hoping that no one will notice, back door deals are made and the only result out of this would be that the citizens once again would suffer and relationships are back to square one.

Experienced paramedics not delivering EMS service is a detriment to public safety regardless of the color of shirt you work in. Resident doctors don’t treat patients without attending physicians looking over their shoulder and ensuring quality care is delivered. Paramedicine is no different. I would like to see a consolidation of all public safety EMS / Fire services with the goal in mind of creating a true EMS / Fire delivery system w/ the option to cross train either way if an individual wanted to do that. That would also include dissolving the 6 or 7 fire districts and taking that money paid to all redundant staff / admin and putting it back into the system to enhance it through training, equipment, facilities, etc, etc. With this goal in mind we have the opportunity to create a nationwide model of outstanding care and delivery. That’s innovation. That’s cutting edge.

Let’s all do what’s best for the system. A grass roots initiative is what that would take because anyone with vested interest right now is looking out only for number 1. But… it could be done. And it would be beneficial to all involved. Maybe not to the respective PACS but certainly the right thing to do for the taxpayers / citizens. Let’s end the “Us vs. Them” mentality and work toward a logical end and create a “Great” system together.

I want to see your outlines.
Please put your data up…or we will assume your don’t really have any.