Guest guest Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Top staffers at Frio EMS leave in huff Web Posted: 03/14/2007 10:59 PM CDT Jeorge Zarazua Express-News The two top administrators for Frio County's emergency medical service resigned this week, complaining, among other issues, that the county wasn't adequately funding the department. Both the EMS administrator and its supervisor notified county commissioners Monday of their intent to step down after coming under intense scrutiny because they couldn't keep ambulances in Dilley properly staffed. Woodward, the department's administrator, said he resigned after a county commissioner ordered him to fire Supervisor Dailey or risk losing his own job. " I basically was threatened, " Woodward said Wednesday. " I'm not one to be threatened. " Commissioner " Pepe " admitted telling Woodward to terminate Dailey. " We're having a lot of problems with Mr. - personnel problems, " said. " People that are working in EMS, they just can't work with him. " Dailey said the shortages result from emergency medical technicians and paramedics leaving to make better pay elsewhere. The department struggles to fill vacancies because the county isn't willing to increase their pay, he said. The Frio County Emergency Medical Service operates with full-time employees plus paid volunteers who cover the night shift. Dailey said the county guarantees volunteers only $25 per shift, with up to $20 more for every patient they help. Calls for EMS help have nearly tripled in the past two decades while staffing has remained largely the same, Woodward said, adding: " After 12 years of trying to give (commissioners) suggestions on trying to fix the problem, they've never taken me seriously. " Dailey said he doubts the county will be able to find enough volunteers to properly staff the department to fulfill state requirements once he leaves March 23. " I feel bad for the community because I know I was real good at my job, at being a paramedic, " he said. " I just feel bad that it's come down to 'Get rid of him, or we'll get rid of you.' " admitted he didn't know if staffing would improve once Dailey is gone, but said commissioners had to take action. " We're trying to solve a problem, " said. " We had a lot of volunteers and then all of a sudden, there are no volunteers. " Commissioners are scheduled to approve posting the EMS administrator's job position at their next meeting March 26. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 >>Top staffers at Frio EMS leave in huff >> " We're trying to solve a problem, " said. " We had a lot of >>volunteers and then all of a sudden, there are no volunteers. " Then perhaps it would behoove the council to part with some money and increase the paid staff? I'm no rocket scientist, but..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 What's an individual county commissioner doing personally involved in this to begin with? It's politics, of course. Gene G. > > > > > >>Top staffers at Frio EMS leave in huff > > >> " We're trying to solve a problem, " said. " We had a lot of > >>volunteers and then all of a sudden, there are no volunteers. " > > Then perhaps it would behoove the council to part with some money and > increase the paid staff? > I'm no rocket scientist, but..... > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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