This email, above, was circulated to board members at this morning's regular BCC meeting. I had heard of its existence, anecdotally, but had not seen it until today.
The email is deeply troubling on multiple levels and the reasons behind this email being sent were not made clear during the meeting this morning--although several folks came up to the podium in attempts to explain what they thought this meant or what they think the sender meant.
In a nutshell--so far as I understand it--when an EMS unit is in the process of dropping a patient off at the hospital, often dispatch will assign that unit the next call---in efforts to improve efficiency and let that crew know there is a call waiting and therefore once the current patient is safely and properly handed off to the hospital--they need to expeditiously roll to the next call. Nothing wrong with that, that is called good and rapid service to our citizens when emergencies happen.
And so I think dispatch is doing exactly what they should be doing--- and to argue against efficiency in order to "show a delay and a need for more trucks." This is troubling and I am glad that (then) PS Director Weaver and current Administrator Weaver shot that idea from the union president down.
In all fairness, Mr. Jenkins did send a response to all commissioners this afternoon after this whole thing erupted like a volcano. Here is his response to the commissioners....
The concern is that this EMS unit at the hospital is dropping off. That means they are giving the ER the patient reports and then have to clean the ambulance for the next call. This typically takes 10min. This 10min is a delay is a concern because they are not going to the other call yet. Dispatch is showing that we've got a unit available to send when really they don't.
ReplyDeleteEven if a dispatcher assigns a unit a call that is at the hospital they put a delay code in the computer stating they are delayed due to being on another call. Furthermore, there are numerous delay codes a dispatcher uses such as train delay, diverted, no units available and so on so dispatchers already put delay codes in when there is a delay.
ReplyDeleteThis is a problem with employee work ethic I have heard policy gives a crew 20 minutes after they arrive at a hospital before they get questions about what is taking so long. Some employees view that as a license to talk or smoke for 10 of those 20 minutes. Employees and the union don't like having to run calls back to back. Well wake up the entire system is overwhelmed at times you don't like it get a new job. Also I don't believe Mr. Jenkins speaks for everyone at EMS. He is a part time employee only. He barely meets his work requirements. He only works partial 12 hour shifts or special events. How much does he really care? I have heard alot of EMS crews do not like the union. Again just what I here.
ReplyDeleteI should say though not all crews are like this. Some really work hard to be efficient and "turn around" quickly to get to calls. EMS has some really good people.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure that number went up for ECFR when the policy was changed again under Chief Nail for dispatching calls, creating more calls and more need for more firefighters
ReplyDeleteNote where this meeting was not covered. The bias is real.
ReplyDeletenow hear this, Sometimes ambulances get assigned a call while they are at the hospital delivering a patient. They are not going to be immediately available to run the call. when a ambulance drops a pt off at the ER it is an unknown the amount of time it will take them to get a pt to a room. is the er busy, do they have a room, does this pt really need to go to a room right away, are the rooms clean, etc etc. Now, since EMS is not going to respond immediately, they dispatch the FD regardless of the level of the call, usually. Essentially the clock is "stopped" or paused whatever and shows that an emergency vehicle has been dispatched. It may be a volunteer company, it may be a BLS or an ALS company. Now that engine is committed until ECEMS arrives and takes over pt care, which is not as soon as they walk in the door most times. So, another call (fire, wreck, med call, citizen assist) goes out for the district/area that particular engine covers. now another engine from another district has to cover that call and so forth and so on...it stresses all the resources when that occurs because now the engines are "out of pocket" so to speak. so you see, even though a dispatcher notes a delay, there is still a delay because the demand for response is greater than the resources available. the ecems units are still overwhelmed quite often. those of you who say, go get another job, how about you come ride on their job and then blab your ignorance. bergosh says, we gotta keep em going and getting them out there. are they machines, slaves? do they not deserve a pee break, coffee break, which is enjoyed casually by some constituents at his morning coffee groups, to eat, to call their family and say, I love you, after they have seen some tragedy. it goes to show the ignorance of the bocc of how public safety works. all this time and they still have questions that they could have gotten answers to but wait until the public forum to hash all this out. get in the streets, get to these places and learn. you have no issue showing up at a fish fry or a festival or anything else like that, so why won't you go learn about how you dept's work? your job is only part time I understand, so maybe that's why.
ReplyDeleteThe BOCC aren't gods and kings. Consult the organizational chart and work within the proper framework. To expect the BOCC to be omnipotent and all knowing is dysfunctional. To force an issue through the media or the mob is also dysfunctional and starts conflict. Things are organized with chain of command for a reason. Walk a mile in their shoes. Work within proper guidelines with respect.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the WEAR article on the scribe with the emails, What do you make of Rusty Nail, saying that will send out admins and QA on calls? Did you see that? To a lay person it looks like the response time documentation may be more important than patient care. Of course response time is definitely important. This entire ordeal of blowing this up to the press was not good for anyone involved. It seems the more the union tries to defend their actions the worse it gets. It should not be hashed out at the public forums and on the media. Why did they bring it there? The no confidence vote and subsequent meddling by one of the commissioners is unconscionable. What genius decided to go that route? I hope that comes out. Does the denial of the public request for information tie in to all this? What are the implications of this type of collaboration and collusion in this entire ordeal. There are many moving parts to this.
ReplyDeleteIt is so obvious this was cooked up by medical director, presidents of the unions, and fire chief.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder Ms.Lavoy told Nail to take leave..
If there are problem with in the organization, they should have worked them out themselves.
It seems like they ignited the fire, then point their finger at some one else. Cast blame instead of taking responsibility for their own shortcomings and failings.
It looks like they take harsh action on employees and report them rather than address and remedy the problems themselves.
Ms Weaver says the truth is coming and it ain't pretty. Hold on Escambia the Truth is on the way.
https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-trouble-with-public-sector-unions
ReplyDeleteLooks like Nail tried to run off an *at will employee*
ReplyDeleteUnions in the public sector are creating friction.
Public workers should be civil servants and not have the power to hold the public hostage. It seems like a conflict of interest.
You brought Ecat in house last year, which if they went on strike it may not be such a big deal.
What if fireman and EMS went on strike?
This has been just a small example of them attempting to wield power and influence.
To Anonymous 7:28
ReplyDeleteIn Florida I believe public service unions are not allowed to strike.