ENN 7/20/96 12:42CDT

THE FOLLOWING IS A REPRINT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS NEWSLETTER "ON SCENE"

Another Lawsuit!

By Gary G. Ludwig, MS, EMT-P

Ventura County Lawsuit; Medtrans vrs. City of Ventura

On June 7, 1996, Pruner Health Services, a Medtrans subsidiary based in Ventura County, California, filed a lawsuit against the City of Ventura arguing the city's decision to take over ambulance service. Medtrans asked for a preliminary injunction to prevent the city from proceeding with the plans and asked the court to decide who has the ultimate authority to provide the service. At a June 24 hearing, a judge denied the injunction. Mike Harris, EMS program manager for the VFD, tells me the decision to enter into EMS transport was not a public versus private issue but a service level concern. Two years ago citizens in the community started a petition drive for VFD to assume transport. Long response times were a problem. Three private ambulances were supposed to be committed to Ventura at all times; however, it was not unusual to have two of the three doing routine transfer calls, leaving only one ambulance for a city of more than 100,000 people. Pruner would move other ambulances to cover the void, but they often would not move into the city, still leaving only one ambulance. The introduction of VFD into ALS transport complements their existing ALS engines with vertical integration into the 9-1-1 system. Harris can be reached at 805-339-4461.

Med-Trans Employees Rally For Union

On June 25, 1996, Medtrans employees rallied outside the Medtrans headquarters in Skokie, Illinois, in support of union representation demanding wage increases and better health insurance.

AMR Buys Half of Florida Hospital-Based Ambulance

AMR signed a letter of intent to purchase 50 percent of ownership interest in Florida Regional Emergency Services. This is the first time AMR has entered the hospital-based ambulance market. FRES, based in Orlando, managed ambulance services for several hospitals in the Orlando area and Texas and generated fees of $9 million in 1995.

Doctor Calls For Eliminating Dual-Role Personnel

Two thumbs down to a statement made by Dr. Donald Crowell of California in Emergi-Press as he was being recognized as a leader in the EMS profession. Responding to a question about the future of EMS, he said, "Cities will be under great economic pressure to eliminate fire fighter/paramedics since non-firefighters are much cheaper." Crowell has apparently not taken the IAFC's EMS costing strategies class for determining appropriate cost allocations methods and pricing plans that show the cost- effectiveness of fire-based EMS operations. For more information on classes, contact the IAFC Conference Department at 703-273-9815 ext. 301.

Winter Park, FL Assumes EMS Transport Duties

January 1, 1997, marks the date Winter Park (Florida) Fire Department will assume all transport since the City Council's approval of its proposal. Rural/Metro is the current provider. Deputy Chief Jim White tells me service levels increase at zero cost using WPFD's existing ALS transport vehicles and personnel. With this win/win/win situation for the citizens, service levels will increase, transport fees will decrease, and revenue will be generated for the community. White can be reached at 407-623-3299.

McCarthy To Lead California Fire Chiefs

Congratulations to Captain Gene McCarthy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He will assume the presidency of the California Fire Chief's EMS Section, Southern Division, on July 25, from Pete Lawrence of Oceanside. Other members of the board will be Battalion Chief Ron Mayfield from Rancho Cucamonga FPD and Battalion Chief Richard Elliott from Redondo Beach.
(ENN Editor's note: Rumors also abound about an upcoming promotion for McCarthy, who may soon be placed in command of all EMS functions for L.A. County. Congrats...Gene!)

Paramedic and Intermediate EMT Curriculum Revision Underway

The process of revising the EMT-Paramedic and Intermediate curricula is well underway by Walt Stoy and the Center for Emergency Medicine in Pittsburgh. The IAFC EMS Section is one of the 15 organizations represented on the National Review Team. Changes to the curriculum will continue throughout the next several months. The NRT will continue to review the curriculum through a pilot program to determine what is core material and what is enhancement information. You can download the curriculum at http://www.pitt.edu/~paramed.

(Information and opinions provided are those of Chief Gary G. Ludwig is on the Executive Board of the IAFC EMS Section. Ludwig is the Chief Paramedic for the St. Louis Fire Department. Reach him at 314-533-4175 or FAX 314-289-1977.)

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