Re: EMS Professionals, We Need to Unite To Gain The Respec...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 5:55:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

Grayson902@... writes:

The smart people in EMS are outnumbered.

Ain't that a sad truth!

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

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(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

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stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 6:26:53 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

lwd7734@... writes:

You need to take baby steps before you can walk...

And yet your trying to create a single point union for those paid

paramedics, talk about a leap of faith?

Show me a SINGLE point union for anything as diverse and as complex as EMS,

in as wide a geographic area as Texas?

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 6:41:33 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

steve@... writes:

We need an " American EMT Association " We already have the AMA, the ANA,

the AAPA, but not yet do we have the AEA, or AEMTA.

We have NAEMT at the national level and if 10% of the certified EMS folks in

the US joined NAEMT they would have a VERY powerful lobby but not without

the numbers. At the State level we have EMSAT for the same purpose.

POLITICS is the issue, POLITICS means you gotta have NUMBERS AKA potential

votes and that is a FACT of life.

If I go to Austin as the VP of EMSAT with 350 members no one hears me, if I

had 3,500 I could get heard, if I could get 35,000 well talk about the mouse

that roared!

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 8:10:31 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

mwest2604@... writes:

I AGREE THAT EMS SHOULD BE PAID MORE BUT AS AN

EMPLOYER WHERE IS THIS MONEY TO COME FROM IF WE DONT GET PAID IN A

TIMELY MANNER?

Not an owner ever in my life, in fact I avoided it a few times and in

retrospect I am VERY glad I did that.

As a middle manager I've worked for the good the bad and the ugly in this

business both in the public and in the private world of EMS. I agree there are

some root issues there too and in fact there are associations for the company

side like the American Ambulance Association and the TAA on the state level,

I bet a higher percentage of business owners (of all of the good, bad and

ugly types) belong to those associations then do the " rank and file " street

folks belong to NAEMT and or EMSAT.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 6:33:34 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

lwd7734@... writes:

The ENA is the reason that Paramedics no longer work in the ER's and do the

same skills as a nurse. The ENA is a road block for the Paramedic to RN

Transition. They have power...

The ENA is NOT a UNION many of the members of the ENA are NOT union members

of any kind (my Best Friend in New Jersey is the sitting President of their

NJ Chapter BTW). They do have POWER.

They have power for one simple reason they have NUMERS as in MEMBERS. LOTS

of them both nationally and at the chapter level.

They have a Members base and that base makes it voice heard but they get

heard due to their NUMBERS this is the POWER they wield.

And yes, at times they are a hindrance to EMS and " our " issues, I have

direct knowledge of that from my past in Pennsylvania.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 9:27:02 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

Grayson902@... writes:

Rule #1 in standing united: forget your biases, don't trumpet them.

AND THERE WE HAVE THE REAL ISSUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK one valium later,

The real and true underlying problem in EMS on the national, regional,

state, county and even LOCAL level is the fact that no matter how many meetings,

how many heartfelt discussions or how many other kum by ya moments we have as

individuals and groups and sub groups we end up getting on whatever bandwagon

we end up on and we play that tune when the other play their tunes until we

have such a roar that no one heard anyone or anything.

I've seen this at every level of my involvement in the " EMS Game " over 25

years of playing all over the world (it's been a great ride after all). and I

have said this over and over that unless and until we put those things we

disagree on (usual the lesser percentage) behind us and maybe work on those

things that we do agree on that we see as issues then we shall never move in a

forward directions and instead we shall be doing the proverbial Texas Two Step

for all of eternity.

Yea I'm at the end of a LONG rope and I really need to start drinking more.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 9:52:56 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

lwd7734@... writes:

The IAFF is one of the most powerful unions in the world. What other union

holds its on Presidential Debate?

I agree BUT how many LOCALS are in Texas? Austin FF's do not negotiate

contracts for Houston if AFD has an issue with AFD management it's handled

locally, yes IAFF has a higher structure above the Local but again it is the

Local

that does the grunt work for the Members of the Local.

I still can't see how you can build a union like the IAFF overnight, it took

the IAFF the better part of a century to do what they have done.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 10:21:34 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

lwd7734@... writes:

Louis, I will have that drink with you.

See we can unite it requires an alcoholic beverage but we can unite!

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 10:16:45 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

lwd7734@... writes:

The IAFF, is it an Association or a Union??

UNION period no argument, show me ONE member of the IAFF that is a

VOLUNTEER? Granted one could likely say show me ONE Member of the ENA that does

not

get paid for their services but the ENA is NOT a labor union just as the IAFF

is NOT a trade or professional Association.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 10:25:39 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

lwd7734@... writes:

What happened to the IAEP for EMS? I believe that is what it was called?? I

had a long conversation about them yesterday and I never hear or see anything

about them. Do they still exist?

A fast Google came up with _http://www.iaep.org/_ (http://www.iaep.org/)

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 10:25:39 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

lwd7734@... writes:

A thread on here a while back, several yrs ago I believe, discussed the

dissatisfaction with the NAEMT. That was one organization that could have

helped

EMS, but we didn't know what do do with it. What is its purpose.

Years? Try weeks ago and it IS the vehicle (IMHO) on the national level as

is EMSAT on the State level.

Why start from scratch?

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

Ok, I am going to stick my head out to be chopped off because I dont

see many owners post things on this site so here I go. As an owner

of a private Ambulance service I read all of these post about money

or the lack off. I recently saw a post about the cost of opening and

operating an Ambulance service and saw many responses that

entertained me.

Let me say before I go on I purchase new units, not used, newer

equipment i.e Styrker stretchers, LP-12's ,etc. I provide

vacation/sick time, paid uniforms, medical and dental insurance,and

stations so my guys dont have to post. And no I dont drive a BMW,

Mercedes, or a Lexus and I dont live in a million dollar home.

With all of that said, if you want to lobby for something, lobby for

higher reimbursments from Medicare, Medicaid and Ins Companies.

Medicaid just increased their Rates for the 1st time in hmmm about

20 years, and Medicare just had an increase that was a whopping

$1.25 a call and buck something a mile.

Now lets figure the cost of fuel ( that keeps going up) Insurance

( thats not cheap), payroll, stations, new truck notes, supplies,

medical/dental Ins, vacation time and everything else that is

included. Not to metion having to appeal some claims 2 and 3 times

which means no payment for say 3,6, or even 12 months.

I know there are some, not all, owners that dont give a shit about

their employees but we are a little differnt. We know our employees

are worth more, but as a private service with no tax base, if we

operate in the red we close our doors, unlike some govt funded

services which just ask for more money at the end of the year. I

have friends that run City run operations that say if they dont

operate in the red they will lose their budget.

OK, off my soap box ..That is my 2 cents.... Any other owners care

to comment???? I AGREE THAT EMS SHOULD BE PAID MORE BUT AS AN

EMPLOYER WHERE IS THIS MONEY TO COME FROM IF WE DONT GET PAID IN A

TIMELY MANNER? All you medics that disagree go ahead and start

throwing the daggers.

Mike

>

> I have been reading all of these posts with excitement, and

frustration. I

> too, like most of us have been in EMS for many many years. I did

not

> however get into this profession to strike. I entered to help.

>

> We have not helped ourselves for far too long, and yet, maybe we

are still

> relatively young, and do not know how. 1964 was a great year for

EMS. Yet

> it was not that long ago. What I mean is if we are to be taken

seriously,

> and earn, demand, obtain, (you pick the word you prefer) RESPECT,

than we

> have to show in all that we do that we truly are professionals.

>

> Its not a labor union that we need. First, we need a government

recognized

> body. A nationally recognized organization, that lobbies,

contributes,

> participates in large scope decisions, that affect the industry

not just a

> state or county. Doctors, Nurses, PA's all have one. EMS does

not, and I

> believe that is where we need to start.

>

> We need an " American EMT Association " We already have the AMA,

the ANA,

> the AAPA, but not yet do we have the AEA, or AEMTA.

>

> Many of you will not like this next part. We need to make this

profession a

> degreed profession. I hate to state that because of what that

means, but

> that is the difference here. Make no mistake. Add a degree to the

> profession, and we will be viewed as professionals.

> Add a degree to the profession and we can have the AEMTA, and then

we can

> lobby, become recognized, and command a higher wage for the work

that is so

> vitally important to each and every community, county state and

the US.

>

> Now I said first we need a body, but of course what comes first,

chicken,

> egg, college accreditation, govt recognition? Who knows. Yes

this is a

> voice in the wilderness, but sit back, digest this, and hopefully

you will

> see I am not totally off my rocker.

>

> As long as states (or we) allow a green EMT to go straight to P

school and

> have no real hours of patient care under their belt, well then,

anybody can

> do this and therefore it cannot be a profession!!

>

> Whomever wrote about the English FD strike is right on the money.

Striking

> does not work in EMS as, we are supposed to be here to help!! Yes

nurses

> strike, but its a little different. There is still somebody in

the brick

> and mortar to help with the patients. If the Firehouse is empty,

I don't

> feel safe at all. If the ambulance is empty, .......all that will

happen is

> that the city/county will be told to take it over. AND that is

happening

> now around the country. Perhaps for different reasons, but it is

happening.

>

>

> You want to strike go ahead, but it may not have the desired

effect.

>

> I am a member of the NAEMT. Have been for a long time. Maybe it

is time to

> get them on the bandwagon, and anoint Bouvier to head this up for

us.

>

> Fire away, but unions had their place; maybe still have a place,

but I do

> not believe there is a place in EMS for a union.

>

> 2 cents and counting,

>

> Steve M.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-

l ] On

> Behalf Of lnmolino@...

> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 5:42 PM

> To: texasems-l

> Subject: Re: Re: EMS Professionals, We Need to Unite

To Gain

> The Respec...

>

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 9/28/2007 5:34:35 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

> lwd7734 (AT) juno (DOT) <mailto:lwd7734%40juno.com> com writes:

>

> Look at what the nursing profession did and they have a very

strong union.

>

> WHERE?

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

> FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

> Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services

(LNMECS)

> Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection

Consultant

>

> LNMolino (AT) aol (DOT) <mailto:LNMolino%40aol.com> com

>

> (Cell Phone)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

>

> The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the

author and the

>

> author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

> organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or

associated with

> unless I

> specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is

intended only

> for its

> stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential

materials

> retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public

domain by

> the

> original author.

>

> ************************************** See what's new at

http://www.aol.

> <http://www.aol.com> com

>

>

[Guest guest]

>>>>With all of that said, if you want to lobby for something, lobby for

higher reimbursments from Medicare, Medicaid and Ins Companies.

Medicaid just increased their Rates for the 1st time in hmmm about

20 years, and Medicare just had an increase that was a whopping

$1.25 a call and buck something a mile.

ROTFLMAO... a business owner making a profit wants the hard working EMS

providers wants to lobby Medicare and Medicaid so he can put more money in his

pocket.... This thread is about uniting EMS providers not busting our @ss so you

can make more profit.

First of all I don't believe Medicaid doesn't pay for emergency transports, only

the wrinkled butt shuffle. The E in EMS stands for Emergency not routine

transport.

I believe that a private owner in this business is making a profit or he would

close his doors. A friend of mine has been running a private ambulance service

for over 15 yrs now and he is living quite comfortably and paying his providers

quite well. They do routine transports only and they are not involved in

emergency 911 calls.

Take some of that profit of your and hire a lobbyist.

L.

_____________________________________________________________

Not making enough money? Click here to get free info on medical jobs

http://3rdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2111/fc/Ioyw6iifUAxSPjnFBRHtHdbFC7f5SlKky8hgVs\

IZzZeK17Bo7NgaMb/

[Guest guest]

Mike - Well said!

ly, I am shocked at the low wages in the industry. But, unless the

customer is willing to pay more, the owners can't pay more. If EMT's did

organize better, they might be able to be a bigger political force and get

Medicare and Medicaid to pay for the services that they are supposed to pay.

Smaller private owners aren't making enough in this industry to afford the

high priced lobbyists. When they do so to try and open up competition in

areas where monopolies are granted, the Feds get sent in to close them down.

At least that's one possible reason for the wholesale slaughter of the

better run smaller companies by the Feds.

Let me know if you would like to purchase some fairly new vehicles and

equipment from a company that couldn't wait twelve months to collect on 99%

of their Medicare and Medicaid. A couple million bucks doesn't go that far

when you add up all of the costs (and that wasn't profits).

J P Osborn, Dallas, TX

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

Behalf Of mwest2604

Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 8:10 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: EMS Professionals, We Need to Unite To Gain The

Respec...

Ok, I am going to stick my head out to be chopped off because I dont

see many owners post things on this site so here I go. As an owner

of a private Ambulance service I read all of these post about money

or the lack off. I recently saw a post about the cost of opening and

operating an Ambulance service and saw many responses that

entertained me.

Let me say before I go on I purchase new units, not used, newer

equipment i.e Styrker stretchers, LP-12's ,etc. I provide

vacation/sick time, paid uniforms, medical and dental insurance,and

stations so my guys dont have to post. And no I dont drive a BMW,

Mercedes, or a Lexus and I dont live in a million dollar home.

With all of that said, if you want to lobby for something, lobby for

higher reimbursments from Medicare, Medicaid and Ins Companies.

Medicaid just increased their Rates for the 1st time in hmmm about

20 years, and Medicare just had an increase that was a whopping

$1.25 a call and buck something a mile.

Now lets figure the cost of fuel ( that keeps going up) Insurance

( thats not cheap), payroll, stations, new truck notes, supplies,

medical/dental Ins, vacation time and everything else that is

included. Not to metion having to appeal some claims 2 and 3 times

which means no payment for say 3,6, or even 12 months.

I know there are some, not all, owners that dont give a shit about

their employees but we are a little differnt. We know our employees

are worth more, but as a private service with no tax base, if we

operate in the red we close our doors, unlike some govt funded

services which just ask for more money at the end of the year. I

have friends that run City run operations that say if they dont

operate in the red they will lose their budget.

OK, off my soap box ..That is my 2 cents.... Any other owners care

to comment???? I AGREE THAT EMS SHOULD BE PAID MORE BUT AS AN

EMPLOYER WHERE IS THIS MONEY TO COME FROM IF WE DONT GET PAID IN A

TIMELY MANNER? All you medics that disagree go ahead and start

throwing the daggers.

Mike

>

> I have been reading all of these posts with excitement, and

frustration. I

> too, like most of us have been in EMS for many many years. I did

not

> however get into this profession to strike. I entered to help.

>

> We have not helped ourselves for far too long, and yet, maybe we

are still

> relatively young, and do not know how. 1964 was a great year for

EMS. Yet

> it was not that long ago. What I mean is if we are to be taken

seriously,

> and earn, demand, obtain, (you pick the word you prefer) RESPECT,

than we

> have to show in all that we do that we truly are professionals.

>

> Its not a labor union that we need. First, we need a government

recognized

> body. A nationally recognized organization, that lobbies,

contributes,

> participates in large scope decisions, that affect the industry

not just a

> state or county. Doctors, Nurses, PA's all have one. EMS does

not, and I

> believe that is where we need to start.

>

> We need an " American EMT Association " We already have the AMA,

the ANA,

> the AAPA, but not yet do we have the AEA, or AEMTA.

>

> Many of you will not like this next part. We need to make this

profession a

> degreed profession. I hate to state that because of what that

means, but

> that is the difference here. Make no mistake. Add a degree to the

> profession, and we will be viewed as professionals.

> Add a degree to the profession and we can have the AEMTA, and then

we can

> lobby, become recognized, and command a higher wage for the work

that is so

> vitally important to each and every community, county state and

the US.

>

> Now I said first we need a body, but of course what comes first,

chicken,

> egg, college accreditation, govt recognition? Who knows. Yes

this is a

> voice in the wilderness, but sit back, digest this, and hopefully

you will

> see I am not totally off my rocker.

>

> As long as states (or we) allow a green EMT to go straight to P

school and

> have no real hours of patient care under their belt, well then,

anybody can

> do this and therefore it cannot be a profession!!

>

> Whomever wrote about the English FD strike is right on the money.

Striking

> does not work in EMS as, we are supposed to be here to help!! Yes

nurses

> strike, but its a little different. There is still somebody in

the brick

> and mortar to help with the patients. If the Firehouse is empty,

I don't

> feel safe at all. If the ambulance is empty, .......all that will

happen is

> that the city/county will be told to take it over. AND that is

happening

> now around the country. Perhaps for different reasons, but it is

happening.

>

>

> You want to strike go ahead, but it may not have the desired

effect.

>

> I am a member of the NAEMT. Have been for a long time. Maybe it

is time to

> get them on the bandwagon, and anoint Bouvier to head this up for

us.

>

> Fire away, but unions had their place; maybe still have a place,

but I do

> not believe there is a place in EMS for a union.

>

> 2 cents and counting,

>

> Steve M.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From: texasems-l <mailto:texasems-l%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:texasems-

l <mailto:l%40yahoogroups.com> ] On

> Behalf Of lnmolino@...

> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 5:42 PM

> To: texasems-l <mailto:texasems-l%40yahoogroups.com>

> Subject: Re: Re: EMS Professionals, We Need to Unite

To Gain

> The Respec...

>

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 9/28/2007 5:34:35 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

> lwd7734 (AT) juno (DOT) <mailto:lwd7734%40juno.com> com writes:

>

> Look at what the nursing profession did and they have a very

strong union.

>

> WHERE?

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

> FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

> Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services

(LNMECS)

> Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection

Consultant

>

> LNMolino (AT) aol (DOT) <mailto:LNMolino%40aol.com> com

>

> (Cell Phone)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

>

> The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the

author and the

>

> author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

> organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or

associated with

> unless I

> specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is

intended only

> for its

> stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential

materials

> retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public

domain by

> the

> original author.

>

> ************************************** See what's new at

http://www.aol.

> <http://www.aol.com> com

>

>

[Guest guest]

Way to be a uniter, Larry.

Last I checked, CMS reimbursement for ambulance transport was, on average, only

75% of the actual cost of doing that run. Ambulance companies have to make up

the shortfall in other ways, ie lower salaries, older trucks and equipment, or

sheer runvolume, by putting fewer trucks on the street, and running their crews

to death.

Rule #1 in standing united: forget your biases, don't trumpet them.

Re: Re: EMS Professionals, We Need to Unite To Gain The

Respec...

>>>>With all of that said, if you want to lobby for something, lobby for

higher reimbursments from Medicare, Medicaid and Ins Companies.

Medicaid just increased their Rates for the 1st time in hmmm about

20 years, and Medicare just had an increase that was a whopping

$1.25 a call and buck something a mile.

ROTFLMAO... a business owner making a profit wants the hard working EMS

providers wants to lobby Medicare and Medicaid so he can put more money in his

pocket.... This thread is about uniting EMS providers not busting our @ss so you

can make more profit.

First of all I don't believe Medicaid doesn't pay for emergency transports, only

the wrinkled butt shuffle. The E in EMS stands for Emergency not routine

transport.

I believe that a private owner in this business is making a profit or he would

close his doors. A friend of mine has been running a private ambulance service

for over 15 yrs now and he is living quite comfortably and paying his providers

quite well. They do routine transports only and they are not involved in

emergency 911 calls.

Take some of that profit of your and hire a lobbyist.

L.

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[Guest guest]

The IAFF is one of the most powerful unions in the world. What other union holds

its on Presidential Debate?

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[Guest guest]

Not trying to bust on anyone, but you need to look out for your people first.

There are other models ambulance companies in this country to look at for

revenue sources. What are their success stories. There are many privates and

third service out there that get paid by the local government as well as collect

reimbursments. This goes along with my statement about baby steps. The private

ambulance companies should work out a strategy like lobbying for a

private/public partnership.

Trust me I want to see us unite, but I have been fighting this same fight for

many years now and it is frustrating. There are many ideas out there and we all

need to find common ground. Should E.M.S. fall under the fire department? That's

another variable in this fight for unity. That is one thing that many of us have

to struggle with daily. Does the union care about the gut bucket jockeys? Not at

all, but they are smart enough and powerful enough to win that fight. We don't

have to reinvent the wheel, what makes them successful.

Sorry if I offend anyone with my comments, but I shoot from the hip and say

whats on my mind. One thing for sure is that I love you all and I feel your

pain. Lets keep fighting this fight together.

L.

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[Guest guest]

Union - a. The act of uniting or the state of being united. When some of us use

the term union we don't necessarily mean labor union. The EMERGENCY NURSES

ASSOCIATION (ENA) is the national Association for professional nurses dedicated

to the advancement of emergency nursing practice. The International Association

of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more than 281,000

fire fighters and emergency medical personnel, who protect 85 percent of the

nation's population. The IAFF, is it an Association or a Union??

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[Guest guest]

Louis, I will have that drink with you.

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[Guest guest]

>>I still can't see how you can build a union like the IAFF overnight, it took

the IAFF the better part of a century to do what they have done.

Agreed, but you have to start somewhere.

A thread on here a while back, several yrs ago I believe, discussed the

dissatisfaction with the NAEMT. That was one organization that could have helped

EMS, but we didn't know what do do with it. What is its purpose.

What happened to the IAEP for EMS? I believe that is what it was called?? I had

a long conversation about them yesterday and I never hear or see anything about

them. Do they still exist?

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[Guest guest]

This says it all...

Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer! - Henry Lawson

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[Guest guest]

They appear to be a labor union, but small scale compared to the IAFF.

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[Guest guest]

I would say many of the members are volunteers, but they don't say that out

loud. It is basically forbidden by the bylaws.

I would still be a volunteer if my chief didn't threaten to fire me if I didn't

quit. We were still aloud to volunteer in our fire department because the

Paramedics were separate. Then a big County retired chief that is pro union and

hates volunteers got hired and forced all the Paramedics to resign from the

volunteers. Guess who was the last one to resign? Yep, stubborn smart @ss me. I

was given twenty four hours to resign or I would be fired. Did I have a case? I

don't know, I had newborn twins I had to feed.

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[Guest guest]

,

Until the Texas Ambulance Association fought (for a number of years mind you)

with the help of the Texas Association of Air Medical Services, and got Medicaid

rates across Texas to $250 starting 28 days ago...our agency's Medicaid

reimbursement was $111.? $111....and then on top of that, Medicaid is the worst

reimbursement provider for paying ambulance services...911, non-emergency, air

medical...it doesn't matter...they don't pay.? BTW, Medicaid looks at ambulance

transports as ambulance transports...they don't care if it is a private service

moving a patient from the NH to the Hospital and back, or the " hero " paramedic

who drags the poor patient back kicking and screaming from the jaws of

death...its still $111.

So, you take someone in Cardiac Arrest, respond, spend $400 to $500 dollars in

caring for this individual, plus the wages of the personnel (not just on the

hour long call...but for the hours they were sitting in the station just waiting

for Mrs. to code), the fuel costs ($3.00 a gallon for diesel???? Are you

kidding me?), and all other associated costs....then you wade through a poorly

documented run sheet, illegible handwriting, mis-spellings, etc...and get a bill

out to Medicaid only to have it toyed with and denied/re-billed and additional

information provided....and after 3 to 4 months, you get a check for $111...if

it gets paid at all.

Then a medic walks in demanding more money and says " I don't care about

reimbursement, just reach in the magic money jar and pay me more money...don't

ask me to do any more, don't ask me to complete a run sheet appropriately... " I'm

a patient care provider, not?a medical documenter " ...you want something more,

hire a transcriptionist to go along with me.?

I continually find it funny that so many paramedics claim EMS?shouldn't be about

making money...yet every other Friday they are waiting with baited breath for a

little piece of paper in an envelope to arrive so they can rush to the bank and

throw it in before their checks start bouncing.? Let that check?bounce...let

that check?be 5 minutes late...and see who it?is in the EMS office that day that

" only cares about the money " .??

And then we have the audacity to think that a private FOR PROFIT company, who

wants more subscribers (oh sorry...dues paying members) so that they can have

bigger PROFITS is somehow going to lead us out of the miry pit and into

Nirvana???? We don't make enough money...so we want to pay some of that money to

someone else to make sure that I get another $1.25 an hour and that the lowest

performing, most useless members of this profession can't get fired when they

refuse to respond to a 911 call or abuse?and mistreat a patient....that is the

direction we think this profession needs to go???

How about this...lets all declare what we think an appropriate entry level wage

is for a brand new paramedic in Texas.? Is that $35,000 a year?? $42,000 a

year?? $75,000 a year?? What is that wage??

My personal opinion, is that a paramedic, who graduates from an accredited

college course and can successfully navigate our agencies pre-employment

selection processes is worth in the neighborhood of $36,000....but here's the

rub...just 55 minutes north of me, there is an agency who feels this exact same

person is worth around $45,000...so, if we want fairness, do I have to raise my

entry level wage $9,000 or does the other agency need to drop their's?? How

about we meet in the middle??

Here is the deal...in our country of free enterprise and capital markets...(at

least until after the next election) I personally believe that each agency has

the right to pay what they feel their market can bear.? This price is set by the

laws of supply and demand.? If I pay $6.50 an hour for paramedics and I

continually have plenty?of paramedics who?work for me...then why on earth should

I be forced to raise my rates?? On the other hand...if paramedics WOULD STOP

working for $6.50 and improve their knowledge and skills and go get the $15.00

or $20.00 an hour job...then I would be forced to increase my pay from

$6.50...and I would be forced to find a way to make that extra money.?

Raising my rates, educating my paramedics on how to document, putting them in

electronic PCR's so that we could read their reports everytime, seeking higher

government subsidy, adding 2 years to the life of my units, start teaching CPR

classes, whatever...so that I could pay more...or I would simply go out of

business.

Then...and this is my last soapbox item...we need to have two classes in EVERY

paramedic course.? Economics 101 and Personal Finance 101.? Because all of this

diatribe I have spouted above is true...but it pales in comparison to this: " It

is not how much money you MAKE...it is how much money you SPEND " .?? " I can't

raise a family on a paramedic's wages...how am I supposed to survive " ...here is

a clue...GET OUT OF DEBT and stop spending money you don't have.? See the real

sentences should read " I can't raise a family on a paramedic's wages and?have 2

new cars in the driveway, a 52 " plasma in the living room, all the cable

channels out there, a 2500 square foot house on 3+ acres of land, a boat, a

motorcycle, and my kids involved in EVERY extracurricular activity " .?

I have stopped counting the number of folks who have left any of the

organizations that I have worked for or led...who leave for greener grass...but

they don't want?to burn bridges...so they stay on part-time, even though the job

up the highway making $9,000 more a year is going to solve all their problems.?

Then less than 9 months later they are begging for more shifts as a part-timer

because even though they are now making $9-11,000 more a year at their primary

job...it still isn't enough and they still cannot make ends meet.???They have to

work for my agency as a 2nd job and maybe even another as a 3rd.???

I am living proof, if you do not learn how to live within (and actually under)

your means, you will never be successful and you will never make enough money

and you will never be happy.? I could write a book with where my wife and I have

been...but 3-4 years ago, we decided to stop the insanity...and the difference

in our lives is unbelievable.? It wasn't easy...as a matter of fact it sucked

big time...but we made it through.? As a result, I can tell you it is all about

what you spend (or don't spend) and not about what you make.?

Its tough love, its icky medicine...but its the cold hard facts of life.? If we

all keep waiting around for " someone " or some government to step in and MANDATE

that paramedics all make $100,000 a year, have cushy lazy boy recliners in their

stations, and only have to respond to one call a day...of their choosing...we

are never going to be happy and we are never going to make a difference because

it is NEVER going to happen.? Before we can look to an organization, a group, a

union, or a club to make our lives better, we have to get ourselves in a

position where we are happy with where we are as an individual.? Then and only

then can we start trying to work on improving the lives of others.

Okay...soapbox is back in the closet.? I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Dudley

Re: Re: EMS Professionals, We Need to Unite To Gain The

Respec...

>>>>With all of that said, if you want to lobby for something, lobby for

higher reimbursments from Medicare, Medicaid and Ins Companies.

Medicaid just increased their Rates for the 1st time in hmmm about

20 years, and Medicare just had an increase that was a whopping

$1.25 a call and buck something a mile.

ROTFLMAO... a business owner making a profit wants the hard working EMS

providers wants to lobby Medicare and Medicaid so he can put more money in his

pocket.... This thread is about uniting EMS providers not busting our @ss so you

can make more profit.

First of all I don't believe Medicaid doesn't pay for emergency transports, only

the wrinkled butt shuffle. The E in EMS stands for Emergency not routine

transport.

I believe that a private owner in this business is making a profit or he would

close his doors. A friend of mine has been running a private ambulance service

for over 15 yrs now and he is living quite comfortably and paying his providers

quite well. They do routine transports only and they are not involved in

emergency 911 calls.

Take some of that profit of your and hire a lobbyist.

L.

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[Guest guest]

To use a medical term in a non-medical setting... " HOLY CRAPOLA " ...Dudley,

you have nailed it all in a nutshell...This is an excellent post and one

that I hope that EVERYONE who reads will take to heart. I tire of the

people who basically say they won't do what they are supposed to because

they aren't paid enough. EMS wages today are WAY above what they were 10

years ago, the reasons for this are varied but it still isn't enough for

some!

Dudley, from my earliest dealings with SAFES, they have been a top-notch,

quality organization....and now that it is Schertz EMS, if you (and I am

sure that you do) " walk the walk " your customers have the best they can get.

BRAVO

Chambers, LP, AAS

-- Re: Re: EMS Professionals, We Need to Unite To Gain

The Respec...

>>>>With all of that said, if you want to lobby for something, lobby for

higher reimbursments from Medicare, Medicaid and Ins Companies.

Medicaid just increased their Rates for the 1st time in hmmm about

20 years, and Medicare just had an increase that was a whopping

$1.25 a call and buck something a mile.

ROTFLMAO... a business owner making a profit wants the hard working EMS

providers wants to lobby Medicare and Medicaid so he can put more money in

his pocket.... This thread is about uniting EMS providers not busting our

@ss so you can make more profit.

First of all I don't believe Medicaid doesn't pay for emergency transports,

only the wrinkled butt shuffle. The E in EMS stands for Emergency not

routine transport.

I believe that a private owner in this business is making a profit or he

would close his doors. A friend of mine has been running a private ambulance

service for over 15 yrs now and he is living quite comfortably and paying

his providers quite well. They do routine transports only and they are not

involved in emergency 911 calls.

Take some of that profit of your and hire a lobbyist.

L.

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