Guest guest Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 No, I left out fools. GG > > Gene, > > You State: > > I work in a county with a hospital district EMS. The hospital board is > composed of idiots, morons, cretins, and imbeciles. None of them have the > slightest notion of what EMS is about, but they are all EXPERTS in their own > minds. > > Are you absolutely sure that is what you ment to say? You know how you have > a habit of beating around the bush. > > Henry > Re: Latest on Marfa EMS > > It is true that EMS is not a mandated service. Why is that? Because the > Texas Legislature has not seen fit to declare it so. > > Why has the Texas Legislature NOT seen fit to declare EMS to be an essential > service? Because the county commissioners, city councils, county judges, and > private for-profit EMS providers have consistently mounted a successful > offense against it. They do not want to have to spend money for EMS. > > County commissioners, generally referred to as " road commissioners " are > totally and completely incompetent to deal with EMS matters, but because > they hold > the power of the county, they can vote their ignorance to deny their citizens > > good EMS care. > > The general population is also to blame. Hoi Polloy has little interest or > understanding of EMS matters until it affects them, but even after that, > they > generally don't convert to EMS advocates. > > I work in a county with a hospital district EMS. The hospital board is > composed of idiots, morons, cretins, and imbeciles. None of them have the > slightest notion of what EMS is about, but they are all EXPERTS in their own > minds. > > Most counties in Texas have the same constraints. > > EMS is the redheaded stepchild of both medicine and public safety. People > take it for granted, and few of the know or care whether it's provided by > the > fire service, a hospital, or a private service. > > There is no synergy between EMS and law enforcement in many areas. Some > Troopers give s**t to EMS personnel on a regular basis. > > Why don't we all work together? > > Most folks don't know anything about EMS. All they want is for a banblance > to show up real quick and take them to the hospital. > > We in EMS have done a terrible job of educating the public about who we are > and what we do. > > We have done little to convince our elected representatives to help us. > > We are 50,000+ strong, but we have nor more influence than a flea. > > That's nobody's fault but our own. > > Will the legislature help the folks in Presidio and Terlingua? Don't hold > your breath. How much in political contributions can those folks pay? How > many representatives can they elect? > > The facts are that Texas doesn't give a rat's patoot about those folks and > their problems. Because they cannot influence elections. The ranchers and > landowners who do have political clout won't ever go to bat for something > like > EMS if it would cost them a single cent in taxes. They employ accountants > whose only allegiance is to the bottom line. > > So EMS in the frontier will get NO help from the state. > > I would say, ask your Governor to help. But that would be an absurd > statement. None of us could get a nanosecond with the Governor to talk about > EMS > issues. Plus, the Texas Governor has no power to do much of anything. > > So who does have the power? The Lieutenant Governor. Think he gives a > rat's ass about EMS? If you do, I've got some beachfront property here in > Shackelford County that I'd be willing to sell you for $124,520, 000.00 per > acre. > > Gene G. > > We're not even on the screen. > > Gene G. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 What are the terms of the waiver? Gene > > " They applied to the state for an exemption to allow them ro run an > ambulance with one > cert. DSHS in their infinite wisdom has GRANTED the exemption. So, > here's the message to other providers in the state. Pay crap wages > and, > when you can't get people, cry to DSHS and they'll fix it so you can > carry on business. Just another lovely example of your tax dollars at > work and the expertise of the people that are supposed to be in > charge > of making sure our citizens are takeb care of. " > > " Then it gets to our fantastic regulatory agency at the > state, and, since it's been in the news, they knee jerk the waiver. > Again, obviously no research into the why of the shortage. As long as > the state lets people get by with this kind of thing, they're not > going > to change. Until we get declared an essential service, nothing is > going > to change. " > > What exactly would you have done? Close them down and have > absolutely no help what so ever? Do you actually know what goes > into a waiver of this sort? Seems to be a little harsh. > > Waivers usually have deadlines on them and they are not permanent. > They are used in this state and in other states as well. Yes > sometimes they are over used or used as a crutch for some, but they > do serve a purpose. Does it excuse what Marfa, or any other small > EMS organization, is doing with their pay? No, but to say to the > community, " Sorry, we won't allow them to have just one cert on > board so you will do without " does not seem to me to be the right > answer. > > Just my thoughts…. > > I would like to hear what you would do… > > Chris > > > > > > The bottom line on this thing is that Marfa is getting away with > it. > > The story got picked up by a local television station and > reported. > > Naturally, being news media, they only reported one side of the > story > > and that was the city's version. They did NO research into why > there > > was a shortage, just " poor Marfa cant get people to run the > > wambulance " . They even had one of the medics on camera saying she > > wouldn't be comfortable running that way, but it seems nobody was > > interested. Then it gets to our fantastic regulatory agency at the > > state, and, since it's been in the news, they knee jerk the > waiver. > > Again, obviously no research into the why of the shortage. As long > as > > the state lets people get by with this kind of thing, they're not > going > > to change. Until we get declared an essential service, nothing is > going > > to change. Forget those folks raising taxes to support EMS. The > ones > > that would have to raise taxes are the land owners and there is no > way > > they are gonna get into their own pocket books for the citizens. > > > > Joe T > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Good point Peggy. I suggested way back in 2000 that EMS be part of the Healthcare Shortage Defination so that perhaps we might attract folks down here and they in turn get some of their school loans forgiven. With more emphasis now being placed on EMS in colleges and universities this might be an idea to revisit. Also, our medics need to be developed in the local school system as those with family here tend to want to stay here. The local EMS doesn't have the manpower or the resources to pull this off. It would be an ideal opportunity for a business partnership though. The long transport training benefit would benefit any medic in any service. You really have to know and practice quality patient care, and it makes better medics from those who have successfully experienced the " ride " .Yes it is the middle of nowhere but the value of EMS is higher here since you are definatly the only safety line. If you can work here you can work anywhere. That said, Gene is right too. Our local politicians don't have a clue. This area is undergoing a total makeover and the whole tri county area is being challenged. The closest thing I can point to would be the changes in Hole WY when it became a playground. A few of teh local elects get it, but the changes are coming dast and furious out here...I don't think the trickle down effects are being seen just yet. I have been asked to bring this (EMS issues) to the attention of the newcomers-who do tend to be very active politically, but it comes back to a dense set of locally elects who can't or won't see the whole picture. It is definatly going to make some people hostile. Not to mention al these new fangled ideas. This area used to be a shining example of quality rural EMS, but the handful of people who carried it have for the most part left EMS..to those still hanging in there- GREAT JOB! >Just wondering, have you been to Marfa, Texas? To >make it an Essential Service sounds great, (like job >security) BUT who is going to transfer down to Marfa, >Terlingua or Presidio, Texas? No offense to those >guys, but you do choose where you live.....I >personally don't want to move down there. They have >great people, but you are in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! I >agree with Dudley we need to educate the public about >EMS. If the EMS community wants to be taken seriously >and professionally (like we feel that we deserve), >then we have to drop the attitude and stop being so >critical when we ourselves are not fully educated on >the topic. Also, at the State level - this sort of >attitude is very detrimental to the EMS community! >I think that some of us forget who grants our >license/certification to run in the State of >Texas...... >THEDUDMAN@... wrote: > > > " Until we get delcared an essential service, > > nothing is going to change. " > > > > Really...so if there is a problem with water than > > the only way to make sure Marfa has water is for the > > state legislature to MANDATE that Marfa provides > > water...no the citizens realize they need water... > > > > If we can't educate the masses that we are > > necessary...(and where are the facts that show we > > are BTW....cardiac arrest survival in > > 1974=5%....cardiac arrest survival in > > 2004=5%...hmmmmm) then we won't be...lets not worry > > about a law...lets worry about the proof. > > > > Dudley > > > > > > Re: Latest on Marfa EMS > > > > > > The bottom line on this thing is that Marfa is > > getting away with it. > > The story got picked up by a local television > > station and reported. > > Naturally, being news media, they only reported one > > side of the story > > and that was the city's version. They did NO > > research into why there > > was a shortage, just " poor Marfa cant get people to > > run the > > wambulance " . They even had one of the medics on > > camera saying she > > wouldn't be comfortable running that way, but it > > seems nobody was > > interested. Then it gets to our fantastic regulatory > > agency at the > > state, and, since it's been in the news, they knee > > jerk the waiver. > > Again, obviously no research into the why of the > > shortage. As long as > > the state lets people get by with this kind of > > thing, they're not going > > to change. Until we get declared an essential > > service, nothing is going > > to change. Forget those folks raising taxes to > > support EMS. The ones > > that would have to raise taxes are the land owners > > and there is no way > > they are gonna get into their own pocket books for > > the citizens. > > > > Joe T > > > > > > > > >________________________________________________________________________ > > Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of > > free safety and security tools, free access to > > millions of high-quality videos from across the web, > > free AOL Mail and more. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > >__________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 > > > > What are the terms of the waiver? That should be discoverable under FOIA/IOpen Records. Will EMSAT make the request for that document, and any others issued this year? Maybe those should be posted, by rule, on the DSHS/BEM web site, much like personnel violations, etc. Would GETAC be the appropriate body to propose such a " must publish " rule for waivers? At least this would expose problem areas... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Several of you have commented on the waiver/Variance we issued to Marfa EMS. I've been out of town at the NASEMO and as you all know we had two deaths so it has been a long week but I wanted to address this issue. Let me begin by saying that when we issue a Variance we do it as a temporary solution in order to keep an EMS system functioning so that the citizen and visitors of their community will have a system in place to provide pre-hospital care. One of my goals as State Director is to continue and increase the EMS services which are provided to the citizen and visitors of our great state especially in Rural and Frontier Texas. I realize the Rural and Frontier communities are face with some unique situations and they need OUR help if they are going to provide EMS service. One thing I realized after attending this conference is this issue is not unique to Texas. I plan to visit these communities to hopefully offer some suggestions and seek some help from you all. The state can offer ECA classes but we need the personnel in those areas willing to be trained. If a community is short of EMS personnel we could discontinue their Provider's license, but is that what we want? Is some response better than none? Do communities who are not willing to pay for EMS Service deserve it? What about those of us driving through these communities? Variances are issued for various reason but usually they are issued because of personnel shortages. There is a process in place, we don't give them just because someone calls. When a variance is sought they have to provide a letter from a public official and publish the conditions of this Variance in their local paper. An investigation is done and if we feel that a community will suffer I will issue a variance. I realize that some EMS organizations suffer shortages because they don't pay enough but most of our Variances are issued to Volunteer organization and like I said they are temporary. I don't want any of you to think that the State is keeping these variances a secret, Organizations operating under a variance must publish the condition of there variance and display the variance certificate in their ambulance once they receive it. I hope this e-mail answers some of your concerns. I appreciate the concerns you all have for EMS and I look forward to resolving some of these issues with your help. I hope to see all of you in Dallas at the State EMS Convention, Please attend the Committee meetings. One last thing, I agree with Dr Bledsoe, Steve I'm glad you are getting the help your father needs. Maxie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Bravo! I couldn't have said it better. maxifire@... wrote: Several of you have commented on the waiver/Variance we issued to Marfa EMS. I've been out of town at the NASEMO and as you all know we had two deaths so it has been a long week but I wanted to address this issue. Let me begin by saying that when we issue a Variance we do it as a temporary solution in order to keep an EMS system functioning so that the citizen and visitors of their community will have a system in place to provide pre-hospital care. One of my goals as State Director is to continue and increase the EMS services which are provided to the citizen and visitors of our great state especially in Rural and Frontier Texas. I realize the Rural and Frontier communities are face with some unique situations and they need OUR help if they are going to provide EMS service. One thing I realized after attending this conference is this issue is not unique to Texas. I plan to visit these communities to hopefully offer some suggestions and seek some help from you all. The state can offer ECA classes but we need the personnel in those areas willing to be trained. If a community is short of EMS personnel we could discontinue their Provider's license, but is that what we want? Is some response better than none? Do communities who are not willing to pay for EMS Service deserve it? What about those of us driving through these communities? Variances are issued for various reason but usually they are issued because of personnel shortages. There is a process in place, we don't give them just because someone calls. When a variance is sought they have to provide a letter from a public official and publish the conditions of this Variance in their local paper. An investigation is done and if we feel that a community will suffer I will issue a variance. I realize that some EMS organizations suffer shortages because they don't pay enough but most of our Variances are issued to Volunteer organization and like I said they are temporary. I don't want any of you to think that the State is keeping these variances a secret, Organizations operating under a variance must publish the condition of there variance and display the variance certificate in their ambulance once they receive it. I hope this e-mail answers some of your concerns. I appreciate the concerns you all have for EMS and I look forward to resolving some of these issues with your help. I hope to see all of you in Dallas at the State EMS Convention, Please attend the Committee meetings. One last thing, I agree with Dr Bledsoe, Steve I'm glad you are getting the help your father needs. Maxie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Thank you, Maxie, for weighing in on this. I hope you can visit with the " powers " in Marfa and surrounds and get a plan going that will result in improvement. Once Marfa had a stellar service, and that was not too long ago. I hope it can somehow get back to where it was. Gene G. > > Bravo! I couldn't have said it better. > > maxifire@... wrote: Several of you have commented on the waiver/Variance > we issued to Marfa EMS. > I've been out of town at the NASEMO and as you all know we had two deaths so > it has been a long week but I wanted to address this issue. Let me begin by > saying that when we issue a Variance we do it as a temporary solution in > order to keep an EMS system functioning so that the citizen and visitors of > their community will have a system in place to provide pre-hospital care. > > One of my goals as State Director is to continue and increase the EMS > services which are provided to the citizen and visitors of our great state > especially in Rural and Frontier Texas. I realize the Rural and Frontier > communities > are face with some unique situations and they need OUR help if they are > going to provide EMS service. One thing I realized after attending this > conference is this issue is not unique to Texas. I plan to visit these > communities > to hopefully offer some suggestions and seek some help from you all. The > state can offer ECA classes but we need the personnel in those areas willing > to > be trained. > > If a community is short of EMS personnel we could discontinue their > Provider's license, but is that what we want? Is some response better than > none? Do > communities who are not willing to pay for EMS Service deserve it? What > about those of us driving through these communities? > > Variances are issued for various reason but usually they are issued because > of personnel shortages. There is a process in place, we don't give them just > because someone calls. When a variance is sought they have to provide a > letter from a public official and publish the conditions of this Variance in > their local paper. An investigation is done and if we feel that a community > will > suffer I will issue a variance. > > I realize that some EMS organizations suffer shortages because they don't > pay enough but most of our Variances are issued to Volunteer organization > and > like I said they are temporary. I don't want any of you to think that the > State is keeping these variances a secret, Organizations operating under a > variance must publish the condition of there variance and display the > variance > certificate in their ambulance once they receive it. > > I hope this e-mail answers some of your concerns. I appreciate the concerns > you all have for EMS and I look forward to resolving some of these issues > with your help. I hope to see all of you in Dallas at the State EMS > Convention, Please attend the Committee meetings. > > One last thing, I agree with Dr Bledsoe, Steve I'm glad you are getting the > help your father needs. > > Maxie > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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