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Money First, Patient Second

11 comments

IN VINCENNES, INDIANA THERE IS A TURF WAR STARTING over who will provide emergency ambulance service in the city.

Knox County is currently served by two private EMS firms, but the Vincennes Fire Department wants to initiate care and transportation service within the city.

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WTHI-TV is reporting:

The department is facing some deep budget cuts, and to make up for it, they are considering expanding the medical service they provide off of the rescue truck with full ambulance service runs.

“What we’re wanting to do is start transporting the patients, so we can receive the reimbursement from insurance companies and individuals,” said Vincennes Assistant Fire Chief David Halter.

Fire officials estimate it will cost at least $100,000 to add two vehicles and three additional firefighters.

At least, they’re being upfront about their motive.  The FD is scheduled to lose 12% of its current funds, mainly from the loss of state aid, in the upcoming fiscal year.

But the proposal is not setting well at all with the two ambulance companies.  The spokesman for one of them says, “We’ve already been hit hard with fuel prices and just to be a back up would be very difficult with them coming along trying to take the first runs.”

Asst. Chief Halter responds, “We’re not wanting the whole pie, we just want our own little piece.”

The city council is “studying” the proposal.

WTHI has the story HERE.

Firegeezer notes that no mention has been made about which outcome would best benefit the sick and injured.  Somebody needs to make their case.

Posted by on July 15, 2008 • Filed under: ambulances
  • David Halter

    Our main goal here is to continue providing the public with the same or better fire protection and other services we provide. All of us in the fire service know that we do more than just fight fires. We want to make sure, even with HB 10-01, that we continue to provide the same level of services we currently do now. We do already provide a non-transporting medical service and actually we supplement the private providers. You are right no one has addressed the issue of patient care. We are committed to patient care and serving the public. We do not want to get in a mud slinging battle over this. I am not going to say anything bad about private providers, thats not my place at this time. As you know though as a Fire Department we are committed to saving lives and protecting property and patient care and public safety will always be the priority.

  • David Halter

    Our main goal here is to continue providing the public with the same or better fire protection and other services we provide. All of us in the fire service know that we do more than just fight fires. We want to make sure, even with HB 10-01, that we continue to provide the same level of services we currently do now. We do already provide a non-transporting medical service and actually we supplement the private providers. You are right no one has addressed the issue of patient care. We are committed to patient care and serving the public. We do not want to get in a mud slinging battle over this. I am not going to say anything bad about private providers, thats not my place at this time. As you know though as a Fire Department we are committed to saving lives and protecting property and patient care and public safety will always be the priority.

  • Chad

    I agree that patient care and public safety should be a priority. I don’t think a Fire Department in the world would be in existence if the members and leadership didn’t care about citizens first. Its too bad the story has taken on a life of its own and focused soley on the monetary aspects. All of us associated with this proposal know the money is just an ancillary benefit of the program. It should be noted that no tax dollars will be used for this program, it will be funded by patient charges. The patients will be pay no more than if they were transported by a private service. I would like to correct an error in the writeup. While it is true there are two private providers in the county, only one of them has a problem with the proposal. In fact the owner of the other service wholeheartedly supports the plan. I’m sure this will be an interesting story to follow, it may get nasty before its all said and done.

  • Chad

    I agree that patient care and public safety should be a priority. I don’t think a Fire Department in the world would be in existence if the members and leadership didn’t care about citizens first. Its too bad the story has taken on a life of its own and focused soley on the monetary aspects. All of us associated with this proposal know the money is just an ancillary benefit of the program. It should be noted that no tax dollars will be used for this program, it will be funded by patient charges. The patients will be pay no more than if they were transported by a private service. I would like to correct an error in the writeup. While it is true there are two private providers in the county, only one of them has a problem with the proposal. In fact the owner of the other service wholeheartedly supports the plan. I’m sure this will be an interesting story to follow, it may get nasty before its all said and done.

  • DON HALTER

    as owner of “the other ambulance service” you would think someone would ask what we think of course we think it is a great idea and we will be glad to provide back up for vfd as we do for any ambulance service that requests our service. our service is pt.care based.

  • DON HALTER

    as owner of “the other ambulance service” you would think someone would ask what we think of course we think it is a great idea and we will be glad to provide back up for vfd as we do for any ambulance service that requests our service. our service is pt.care based.

  • Larry Shots

    I work for both Vincennes Fire Dept. and Knox County EMS. There is room for an ambulance in Vincennes. No one mentions how Knox Co EMS usually has only one medic on duty in Vincennes and is usually on an LDT. This leaves only BLS crew so, the fire dept has to ride in to provide higher level of care. Along with the equipment used, paid for by taxpayers, is not reimburshed and billed for by Knox Co EMS. So, explain to me how they do this for free. We can also talk about their response times , sometimes from 20 – 26 minutes. The fire dept isn’t doing this to run off Knox Co EMS; the fire dept is trying to sustain its staffing level. With budget cuts from Indiana House Bill 1001, the fire dept is possible looking at layoff’s and firehouse closures. The City of Vincennes is divided in to four sections cut off by train tracks and there is a fire station in each section. Now, if there is no additional income for the fire dept and we lose a station and staff. Which area of taxpayers doesn’t get proper fire and ems coverage. This is a money situation but, everyone forgets the safety concern.

  • Larry Shots

    I work for both Vincennes Fire Dept. and Knox County EMS. There is room for an ambulance in Vincennes. No one mentions how Knox Co EMS usually has only one medic on duty in Vincennes and is usually on an LDT. This leaves only BLS crew so, the fire dept has to ride in to provide higher level of care. Along with the equipment used, paid for by taxpayers, is not reimburshed and billed for by Knox Co EMS. So, explain to me how they do this for free. We can also talk about their response times , sometimes from 20 – 26 minutes. The fire dept isn’t doing this to run off Knox Co EMS; the fire dept is trying to sustain its staffing level. With budget cuts from Indiana House Bill 1001, the fire dept is possible looking at layoff’s and firehouse closures. The City of Vincennes is divided in to four sections cut off by train tracks and there is a fire station in each section. Now, if there is no additional income for the fire dept and we lose a station and staff. Which area of taxpayers doesn’t get proper fire and ems coverage. This is a money situation but, everyone forgets the safety concern.

  • Drake

    With the Fire Dept housing their own ambulance service, not only would that counter the budget cuts, but it would also ensure that sick and injured get the immediate care they need. I have worked for both ambulance services, and there is not always an available ambulance for a 911 call. Having an ambulance reserved at a fire station would ensure that when someone needs an ambulance, a person would dial 911 and have one there with an adequate amount of manpower to assist in care. If a Fire Department ambulance is busy, then the private services can be the “go to” people. Believe me, Knox County EMS ( the leading private service) makes more than enough income to leave the real emergencies to the professionals.

  • Drake

    With the Fire Dept housing their own ambulance service, not only would that counter the budget cuts, but it would also ensure that sick and injured get the immediate care they need. I have worked for both ambulance services, and there is not always an available ambulance for a 911 call. Having an ambulance reserved at a fire station would ensure that when someone needs an ambulance, a person would dial 911 and have one there with an adequate amount of manpower to assist in care. If a Fire Department ambulance is busy, then the private services can be the “go to” people. Believe me, Knox County EMS ( the leading private service) makes more than enough income to leave the real emergencies to the professionals.

  • Drake

    With the Fire Dept housing their own ambulance service, not only would that counter the budget cuts, but it would also ensure that sick and injured get the immediate care they need. I have worked for both ambulance services, and there is not always an available ambulance for a 911 call. Having an ambulance reserved at a fire station would ensure that when someone needs an ambulance, a person would dial 911 and have one there with an adequate amount of manpower to assist in care. If a Fire Department ambulance is busy, then the private services can be the “go to” people. Believe me, Knox County EMS ( the leading private service) makes more than enough income to leave the real emergencies to the professionals.