Council Considering Acadian EMS Over MetroCare EMS

[Guest guest]

> Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this?  With the demise of

> GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers in

> Texas.  I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with operations in

> Austin and Abilene...

>

> What's happening with Metrocare?

>

> Mike

>

Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian. Very

interesting move, to say the least.

[Guest guest]

( Air Date: 10/24/2006 )

Port Arthur citizens may soon see a change in their ambulance service.

Tuesday night, the city council is meeting to decide whether or not to

transfer its ambulance service agreement. The council is considering

Acadian EMS over the city's current ambulance service, MetroCare EMS.

If approved, MetroCare officials say services will remain the same.

MetroCare workers will also be given the option of signing on with

Acadian. Council will decide after Tuesday night's meeting. If

approved, MetroCare will close its doors this Friday.

**************************************************************************

Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the demise of

GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers in

Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with operations in

Austin and Abilene...

What's happening with Metrocare?

Mike

[Guest guest]

They are selling the B-PA operation only. It seems that the service changed

completely about 6 months ago when the Director of Operations (K Knupple)

left. Steve Diamond moved to the Austin area and they are getting

completely out of the PA area. Who can blame a company when you have to pay

the city $50,000.00 a year to operate there 911. Reimbursement is marginal

at best and the city should be subsidizing services to provide 911 coverage

not charging them. I hear that the Austin, Bastrop, and Abilene Operations

are doing well and there are no plans to sell.

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over MetroCare EMS

In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

<mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

> Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the demise of

> GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers in

> Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with operations in

> Austin and Abilene...

>

> What's happening with Metrocare?

>

> Mike

>

Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian. Very

interesting move, to say the least.

[Guest guest]

>

> [Editor's note: This is a discussion regarding Metrocare EMS]

>

> Who can blame a company when you have to pay

> the city $50,000.00 a year to operate there 911.

I'm glad you brought this up. While I certainly don't know anything

about the economics of EMS in the Port Arthur area, I can say that

it's certainly a strange setup. Then again, private EMS services

wouldn't do it if they couldn't make money - so either someone will

replace Metrocare for the same money (Acadian, according to the google

news alert I originally got), or the city will have to rethink their

franchise fee.

This is a good illustration, though... remember that private EMS

*must* make money to exist. Governmental services are not required to

make money, just to operate " in the black " with regards to their

budget (funded by governmental income(s)). I'm not saying AT ALL that

Metrocare is evil, wrong, or shady - just that as a private company

their first and foremost motive will be to make money so they can

continue to operate - their first priority CANNOT be patient care or

quality EMS - it MUST be to make money and stay in business, period.

It seems, though, that Metrocare has better scruples than some (at

least on the surface) and looks like they probably gave up the

operations rather than let quality suffer. If that's the case, kudos

to them!

For what it's worth I had experience with Metrocare in their Bastrop

County operation (I worked for a different responding agency). I can

honestly say that other than incessant SSM and a total lack of

consideration for the effects of SSM on their crews, they always

seemed to put patient care as a top priority and it was not at all

uncommon to see supervisors running calls if they were running low on

EMS units due to high transfer volume - sometimes you'd have just as

many supervisors running calls as you did ambulances assigned to the

county. And, Bastrop County is *notorious* for wanting to underpay

for EMS in the first place...

It's sad to see Port Arthur causing disruption in their EMS service

over such a small sum, comparatively, too.

Mike

[Guest guest]

Acadian will assume operations at 00:01 Saturday morning. MetroCare did sell

their Bmt/Pa operation to them and will concentrate on their other, highly

successful operations in the aforementioned cities. Acadian has been

operatining in Orange County since the demise of Orange County Ambulance

services. They do not, however operate in Vidor, which opted to go with

Priority Care out of Los Angeles. Acadian has also opened a Beaumont operation

for return patients to Orange County and 911 rollovers for the City of Beaumont.

All of the medic's were offered positions with Acadian and the office and

operations personnel were offered jobs at the other MetroCare facilities.

Andy

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over MetroCare EMS

In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

<mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

> Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the demise of

> GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers in

> Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with operations in

> Austin and Abilene...

>

> What's happening with Metrocare?

>

> Mike

>

Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian. Very

interesting move, to say the least.

[Guest guest]

Andy

Rumor has it they are looking at the City of Beaumont EMS, and

actually have already started speaking with City and County leaders.

Of coarse the public has not been informed about this. What are your

thoughts?

The ten year cycle in SETX remains BUY and SELL!!!

Mike

>

> Acadian will assume operations at 00:01 Saturday morning.

MetroCare did sell their Bmt/Pa operation to them and will

concentrate on their other, highly successful operations in the

aforementioned cities. Acadian has been operatining in Orange

County since the demise of Orange County Ambulance services. They

do not, however operate in Vidor, which opted to go with Priority

Care out of Los Angeles. Acadian has also opened a Beaumont

operation for return patients to Orange County and 911 rollovers for

the City of Beaumont.

>

> All of the medic's were offered positions with Acadian and the

office and operations personnel were offered jobs at the other

MetroCare facilities.

>

> Andy

>

>

> Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

MetroCare EMS

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

>

> > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

demise of

> > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

in

> > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

operations in

> > Austin and Abilene...

> >

> > What's happening with Metrocare?

> >

> > Mike

> >

>

> Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

Very

> interesting move, to say the least.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We hear rumors like this from time to time. The City of Beaumont has one of the

best EMS systems that I have seen. Why would anyone who has an excellent system

in place want to change it completely?

KC

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

MetroCare EMS

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

>

> > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

demise of

> > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

in

> > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

operations in

> > Austin and Abilene...

> >

> > What's happening with Metrocare?

> >

> > Mike

> >

>

> Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

Very

> interesting move, to say the least.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

" Why would anyone who has an excellent system in place want to change it

completely? "

Money

Greed

Money

Ego

Money

Choose One

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of ambubag@...

Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:44 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over MetroCare

EMS

We hear rumors like this from time to time. The City of Beaumont has one of

the best EMS systems that I have seen. Why would anyone who has an excellent

system in place want to change it completely?

KC

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

MetroCare EMS

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

>

> > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

demise of

> > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

in

> > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

operations in

> > Austin and Abilene...

> >

> > What's happening with Metrocare?

> >

> > Mike

> >

>

> Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

Very

> interesting move, to say the least.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Profit?

Mike

>

> We hear rumors like this from time to time. The City of Beaumont has one

> of the best EMS systems that I have seen. Why would anyone who has an

> excellent system in place want to change it completely?

>

> KC

>

[Guest guest]

Rumor always has it. The City Council just authorized and bought a sixth

ambulance, is building a huge facility for us, spent over $123,000 on new

LifePak 12's this morning, so there is no reason why they just would not close

us down tomorrow and open up to an ambulance that cannot meet the standards we

have set.

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

MetroCare EMS

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

>

> > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

demise of

> > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

in

> > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

operations in

> > Austin and Abilene...

> >

> > What's happening with Metrocare?

> >

> > Mike

> >

>

> Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

Very

> interesting move, to say the least.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, and by the way, the city council, nor the chamber of commerce, will allow a

single ambulance in the city and put 6 more out of business. We think more of

our citizens than they do elsewhere.

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

MetroCare EMS

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

>

> > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

demise of

> > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

in

> > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

operations in

> > Austin and Abilene...

> >

> > What's happening with Metrocare?

> >

> > Mike

> >

>

> Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

Very

> interesting move, to say the least.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

One reason is, despite previous posts to the contrary...it is all about the

money and yes, Virginia, it is all about the money in governmental operations as

well. Every facet of our economy is driven by a desire to do as much as

possible with limited resources...that includes governmental entities...

Now, I have no idea about Beaumont except to say I have always heard it is a top

notch service...but if they, like has been suggested governments might be able

to do, didn't have being fiscally responsible as one of their top goals, then it

could very well be tempting to try another system to stop the hemmorhage of cash

from a poorly run operation...

Remember, as in all things....it is ALWAYS about the money.

Dudley

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

MetroCare EMS

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

>

> > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

demise of

> > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

in

> > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

operations in

> > Austin and Abilene...

> >

> > What's happening with Metrocare?

> >

> > Mike

> >

>

> Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

Very

> interesting move, to say the least.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My question about Acadian is that I have seen them around but they still have

Louisiana plates on the ambulances are they in compliance with the rules and

regulation of the state of texas and are the Ems personnel registered with Texas

some needs to check this out if I have to pay every one has to.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

MetroCare EMS

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

>

> > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

demise of

> > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

in

> > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

operations in

> > Austin and Abilene...

> >

> > What's happening with Metrocare?

> >

> > Mike

> >

>

> Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

Very

> interesting move, to say the least.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Interesting question. DSHS would have oversight over whether or not

the trucks were properly registered as ambulances at the right level

(BLS, ALS, MICU, etc.). I can't imagine a company as large as Acadian

not following the rules regarding initial company licensure, etc....

and would hope that the Port Arthur and Beaumont agreements set forth

regulatory compliance requirements. Wes, care to comment on how

something like this MIGHT work, HYPOTHETICALLY?

TxDOT's Motor r Division, I believe, would be the right agency

to inquire with about the status of commercial vehicles with

out-of-state plates. DPS would be interested in their registration

status, but would probably defer to TxDOT. TxDOT's web site has links

for reporting possible violations of the commercial motor vehicle

statues and from personal experience with reporting wreckers operating

illegally, I know they are quick to assign an investigator and

respond.

Mike

> My question about Acadian is that I have seen them around but they still have

Louisiana plates on the ambulances are they in compliance with the rules and

regulation of the state of texas and are the Ems personnel registered with Texas

some needs to check this out if I have to pay every one has to.

> Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

>

> Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

> MetroCare EMS

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> > <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

> >

> > > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

> demise of

> > > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

> in

> > > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

> operations in

> > > Austin and Abilene...

> > >

> > > What's happening with Metrocare?

> > >

> > > Mike

> > >

> >

> > Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

> Very

> > interesting move, to say the least.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I work for Acadian in Orange County. The Louisiana trucks are dually

registered, and the Orange County trucks are the old Orange County units and

have Texas plates and registrations. The inventory on the units comply with

both Texas and Louisiana specifications and all units hold current

inspections. Many of the personnel have their Texas certs with their NR

status. Acadian is not stupid and has done their homework. They do not

make a move until their i's are dotted and t's are crossed. If nothing

else, the are very rule and regulation oriented, in everything...including

daily operations. Trust me. I was a former OCAS employee, and I'm still

testing the waters at Acadian, so you won't get a yea or nay from me. Just

letting you all know they are an above board company who does their

homework...the trucks and personnel are legal...and yes, it's about the

almighty dollar.

_____

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of Mike

Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 12:54 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over MetroCare

EMS

Interesting question. DSHS would have oversight over whether or not

the trucks were properly registered as ambulances at the right level

(BLS, ALS, MICU, etc.). I can't imagine a company as large as Acadian

not following the rules regarding initial company licensure, etc....

and would hope that the Port Arthur and Beaumont agreements set forth

regulatory compliance requirements. Wes, care to comment on how

something like this MIGHT work, HYPOTHETICALLY?

TxDOT's Motor r Division, I believe, would be the right agency

to inquire with about the status of commercial vehicles with

out-of-state plates. DPS would be interested in their registration

status, but would probably defer to TxDOT. TxDOT's web site has links

for reporting possible violations of the commercial motor vehicle

statues and from personal experience with reporting wreckers operating

illegally, I know they are quick to assign an investigator and

respond.

Mike

On 10/26/06, rsabree (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) <mailto:rsabree%40sbcglobal.net> net

<rsabree (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) <mailto:rsabree%40sbcglobal.net> net> wrote:

> My question about Acadian is that I have seen them around but they still

have Louisiana plates on the ambulances are they in compliance with the

rules and regulation of the state of texas and are the Ems personnel

registered with Texas some needs to check this out if I have to pay every

one has to.

> Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

>

> Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

> MetroCare EMS

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> > <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

> >

> > > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

> demise of

> > > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

> in

> > > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

> operations in

> > > Austin and Abilene...

> > >

> > > What's happening with Metrocare?

> > >

> > > Mike

> > >

> >

> > Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

> Very

> > interesting move, to say the least.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

If you say so but there is no such thing as dual registerd when it comes to

license plates inspection stickers and vehicle registration they really need a

true Texas division so that there is no confusion.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

> MetroCare EMS

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> > <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

> >

> > > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

> demise of

> > > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

> in

> > > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

> operations in

> > > Austin and Abilene...

> > >

> > > What's happening with Metrocare?

> > >

> > > Mike

> > >

> >

> > Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

> Very

> > interesting move, to say the least.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I saw an Acadian unit recently. Yes, it had a Texas license plate. Also, I know

a couple of people who work for Acadian in Texas and they are certified in Texas

and have been for quite a while.

KC

Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

> MetroCare EMS

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> > <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

> >

> > > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

> demise of

> > > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS providers

> in

> > > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

> operations in

> > > Austin and Abilene...

> > >

> > > What's happening with Metrocare?

> > >

> > > Mike

> > >

> >

> > Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

> Very

> > interesting move, to say the least.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

The trucks that are normaly in texas are registered in texas with

texas lic. plates the trucks in LA have LA plates but are cert. with

dth in texas also alot of us used to work for orange county ambulance

now they are painting and changing over the 8 trucks thay got from

Metro in PA. the trucks in beaumont are going to be old OCAS trucks

as soon as the paperwork comes in.

hope this answers any questions.

H. Ben Ballard EMT-B, HSE

> > >

> > > Acadian will assume operations at 00:01 Saturday morning.

> > MetroCare did sell their Bmt/Pa operation to them and will

> > concentrate on their other, highly successful operations in the

> > aforementioned cities. Acadian has been operatining in Orange

> > County since the demise of Orange County Ambulance services. They

> > do not, however operate in Vidor, which opted to go with Priority

> > Care out of Los Angeles. Acadian has also opened a Beaumont

> > operation for return patients to Orange County and 911 rollovers

for

> > the City of Beaumont.

> > >

> > > All of the medic's were offered positions with Acadian and the

> > office and operations personnel were offered jobs at the other

> > MetroCare facilities.

> > >

> > > Andy

> > >

> > >

> > > Re: Council Considering Acadian EMS Over

> > MetroCare EMS

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > In a message dated 10/24/06 9:08:21 PM, paramedicop@

> > > <mailto:paramedicop%40gmail.com> gmail.com writes:

> > >

> > > > Andy, Eddie, etc. - any idea what's up with this? With the

> > demise of

> > > > GoldStar, Metrocare was one of the largest private EMS

providers

> > in

> > > > Texas. I thought Metrocare was BASED in Beaumont, with

> > operations in

> > > > Austin and Abilene...

> > > >

> > > > What's happening with Metrocare?

> > > >

> > > > Mike

> > > >

> > >

> > > Apparently they've opted to sell the B-PA operations to Acadian.

> > Very

> > > interesting move, to say the least.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >