VFD, EMT, EMS

I don't see anything about that on the summary, but there is ALOT of amendments.

I have quite a few thoughts on the idea however, real or not, but it is going to take me a while to summarize and explain them all.

I would like to hear medics take on the issue as well. I think ours might line up pretty close.

Wow, I agree Bard.  How can this help the economy?  It might be good for all the vollys as they will start getting paid, but what about all the small towns that there is no way they can afford the full time paid depts?

This just keeps getting dumber and dumber as time goes on. 

Is paid EMS a bad thing?

70 to 75 percent of all runs at any fire department is EMS related, if that FD handles EMS.

Take in to the equasion of VFD's. Some are excellent, some aren't so hot.

When you call 911 for an ambulance you expect one now, not 10 min later. Also you expect the best service availabe.

The reality is, many VFD's EMS have extended response times beyond that of a paid department, and are not able to provide ALS care. Granted not all 911 calls need ALS care, but those that do, don't need to wait for it.

How do we achieve the goal of efficent, ALS service? Well we would have to pay for one thing. Pendleton has a great EMS system with paramedics, unfortunately that isn't feasible for every EMS dept out there.

How would, say, Adams township that has 300 or 400 runs (just a guess) a year, be able to afford the bill for 6 paramedics to cover year round, at a minimum. They wouldn't.

But what if Adam's twp, got with the rest of the townships in the county and pooled resouces? Then you have a system that could work...

Is it possible? You have to get alot of people to get past their territories first. Thats a problem anywhere, not just in Indiana, or Madison County, but Nation wide.

These are some really rambled thoughts right now. Don't take it as I don't support the VFD system. I do, I am one.
Question me on what I've wrote before you assume anything, I need to organize these thoughts better. Maybe I can explain it a litte better.

Where do I start. Paid EMS could be the best thing.

For this HB 1001 go to www.iaff1262.org, first post from our state union and a powerpoint on this bill as a attachment.

I see a cut in service from paid to volunteers. I see no picking and choosing on this. With this bill local governements will loose funding and will have to cut services. Local firefigher unions had gathtered last week and will gather this week on Tuesday at the state house. I know the Indiana Voluteer Firefighers Assoc., Indiana Firefighers Assoc., and Indiana Fire Chief's Assoc. will be there.

With this bill no one is safe. Funding could be gone for your local EMS and Fire departments paid or volunteer.

Lets hope the Gov and others at the state house don't need any of you real fast if they cut the services.

There is another email from the state at our local site.  Link is below in my signature.  Some interesting numbers. 

Thats why I am not a lawyer, I could never decipher all of that stuff. But if I was in congress I would have aides!:)

Thanks for keeping us updated medic, that changes my thoughts on some things now, I'll post my revision later.