How Did This All Start, Anyway? Part II: Agendas and Retribution

How did Escambia's EMS go from a 100% rating 
from the State of Florida in late July, 2018, to
being flat on it's "back" just 8 months later?

How did this all start?  The dysfunction, the tribalism, and eventually--the indictments?

Escambia County EMS is emerging from about a 3 1/2 year period of great turmoil--as multiple former employees are having charges dropped and deals cut for them to clear their names and resume their careers.  And for these folks---it has been absolutely devastating--even as they look to emerge from out of the clouds of suspicion.

 Others have resigned and left.  Previous leadership has been feckless and weak.  Employees were left twisting in the wind, and complaints of harassment were buried and those who complained were subsequently targeted.  It was a toxic, disgusting mess.

 Thankfully, this is changing now.

 Because we now have new leadership, a new medical director contract, a new public safety director, a new EMS chief and a new County Administrator--- and things are looking up.  But none of this will erase what has happened--so we have to go back a few years to get the answer to this big question:

 How did this all start, anyway? 

In Part I we discussed the genesis of the problem:  a tragic death, some inappropriate conduct in the field, and the push for some changes.  I've now spoken at length with multiple former employees who have related the information to me, on condition of anonymity, which I am using to write these posts.  This information is also augmented with public records that have been released regarding these incidents.

Background--the Fallout

After the horrific treatment of patients on the side of the road by two now former employees of the county (I'm told one transferred over to the Pensacola Fire Department, one attempted to stay with Escambia County in part time status but was not permitted to do so and he subsequently left)--changes were implemented within EMS by the leadership that was there at the time.

However-the jail had sustained additional deaths--not the fault of the then County Medical Director--but pressure was mounting to make a switch in that position.  Dr. Henning was eventually fired by then Administrator Jack Brown, and the subsequent applicants for the position of Medical Director were fielded.  Interestingly, one of the candidates on the final short list was a very close, personal friend and co-worker of the mom who lost her son in the tragic incident on Pine Forest road.  Along with this doctor, Rayme Edler, there was also a very well qualified applicant who at the time was serving in the military as a reservist overseas.  The selection committee wrestled over these two applicants.  Astonishingly--the military reservists' service appears to have been used against him--and this was openly discussed by the selection committee---who at one point even considered calling this individual's wife to see if she wanted her husband to retire?  At least one panelist showed open concern about Edler--mentioning his belief there were issues with her and medics who dealt with her at the Baptist Hospital ER.  This individual, along with at least one other, also mentioned USERRA and cautioned that the military reservist doctor's service COULD NOT, under law, be counted against him.

According to those with whom I have spoken--it certainly appears as if that might have happened, as that doctor was not selected.  Dr. Edler, a local, was.

After this, a high-level manager in EMS looked into filing a complaint about the military reservist's service being used against him in not being selected for the position.  I've been told this employee was unable to loge a complaint as only the person who was denied employment could make a complaint.

Meanwhile--word trickeled back up the upper echelon of Escambia's then leadership positions that this attempt at a complaint was made.   From that point on--this senior manager at EMS was a target.  I'm told he angered members of the selection committee by not supporting Edler and by expressing continued respect/support for the former director, Dr. Henning.  Also, leaders were infuriated about the attempted USERRA complaint.  So from that point on---the EMS leader's days were numbered, literally.   And I am told by witnesses to the conversation that upon her entry as medical director--the newly hired doctor gave the EMS leader who did not support her but nonetheless was working with her the following bitter message:  "I'm here for one reason, retribution.  And your days are numbered here..."  And subsequently, within about a year or so, that statement proved true.  And this EMS manager was fired and charged with criminal offenses.  Serious ones.  But not until after July of 2018---when the Escambia County EMS department received a stellar assessment from the Florida Department of Health--under this very manager's stewardship and leadership.

So what happened, what changed?

Many, myself included, have wondered what in the world happened between this stellar assessment in July of 2018----and the wheels apparently coming off the tracks just 8 months later?

More than one insider has told me it was deliberate and it was all about score-settling, vindictiveness, and retaliation.  Absolutely disgusting and gut wrenching if it is all true.

More on that in Part III.  

Attorney Troy Rafferty's Letter to the Clerk's Attorney on Behalf of the Board: BOOM!

 Here's the portion of a letter attorney Troy Rafferty sent out yesterday afternoon to the Clerk's office regarding the county's 401(a) plan:  It's a scorcher.

Outsourcing Jail Medical Function to Save Taxpayer Money AND Provide Better Inmate Care

Jail Medical costs are rising exponentially due to a number of factors.  The county should consider all models of provision of this care, including outsourcing, to curb costs and provide better care

County staff have been discussing the outsourcing of Jail Medical for the last several years---as these costs have grown exponentially.

At our last regular meeting--we had over $5,000,000.00 worth of jail medical budgeting that was being requested of us.  I pulled the item--as I knew we had been in talks with an outside provider to take the function over in order to achieve cost savings.

Several staffers received at least one proposal--however when asked about this at the meeting---there was a sudden sense of confusion and many staffers said that "no, they hadn't received the package and proposal."

So, I made a motion to pull the item, and the board voted to postpone the large medical expenditures--so we could all independently research what happened to the proposal from outside provider NaphCare.

(I never received the proposal either--although I was told it was sent to my office via FedEX.  I never got it, and ultimately had to borrow Commissioner Bender's copy)

Meanwhile---Jim Little from the PNJ called me yesterday afternoon and we discussed the reasons I moved to drop the expenditure and also why I think outsourcing could save us money and provide better care for inmates.  His column on this topic came out this morning and was a very good read.

The areas where it appears we can save the most money include:

--Reduced tranport to outside facilities--perhaps as much as 50% (saving guard staff time and vehicle wear and tear)

--Elimination of our costly Jail Med Malpractice insurance (Contractor would take on this cost)

--better overall care for inmates via proactive, initial assessments and flagging of inmates who are at risk

--staffing stabilization

--full utilization of our state of the art infirmary for more on site procedures (dialysis and other minor medical procedures for which we currently transport--costing us staff time and additional fees to dialysis providers)

--Savings via achieving a (much larger) economy of scale for pharmaceuticals

I plan on bringing the topic again at our October 14th meeting, at which point I will attempt to build support for the county developing an RFP for outsourcing jail medical.  At least this will allow for multiple companies to present their best offers and creative solutions.

At the end of the day--I am certain the board will choose wisely and will find an option that saves money and provides the care our inmates need. 

Fixing the Sarasota Ditch begins NOW!

Great news on a project in District 1 that has been a long time coming!!

Sarasota Street in the Floridian Subdivision off of Blue Angel Parkway has had a big problem brewing for over a decade.   The backyards of 7 houses were being eroded and were falling into a massive gully on the adjacent property.

For years, residents tried and tried to get action on this problem--with no luck.

About two years ago, I met with residents and said I would commit staff and resources to the issue.  We looked at MSBU's, which were not a workable option.  I ponied up $400K of D1 discretionary LOST money to make the project go.  Between the staff, enginerring, and legal---we developed a plan and put the project in motion.  Recently--staff was successful at having the project funded through a grant--which is a tremendous win because it puts my discretionary allocation back in the county coffers where it can be used for other worthwhile drainage and infrastructure construction.

Kudos to neighbors who pushed (especially Zoey DiChristopher) and for staff that were steadfast in brining this project to fruition.  I look forward to getting this solved and completed by early next year.

It took too long---but perseverance pays!  See County's Notice of Commencement, below.

How Did This All Start, Anyway? Part I

How did Escambia's EMS go from a 100% rating 
from the State of Florida in late July, 2018, to
being flat on it's "back" just 8 months later?

How did this all start?  The dysfunction, the tribalism, and eventually--the indictments?

Escambia County EMS is emerging from about a 3 1/2 year period of great turmoil--as multiple former employees are having charges dropped and deals cut for them to clear their names and resume their careers.

And for these folks---it has been absolutely devastating--even as they look to emerge from out of the clouds of suspicion.

Others have resigned and left.  Previous leadership has been feckless and weak.  Employees were left twisting in the wind, and complaints of harrassment were buried and those who complained were subsequently targeted.  It was a toxic, disgusting mess.

Thankfully, this is changing now.

Because we now have new leadership, a new medical director contract, a new public safety director, a new EMS chief and a new County Administrator--- and things are looking up.  But none of this will erase what has happened--so we have to go back a few years to get the answer to this big question:

How did this all start, anyway?  I am going to be discussing this issue later this morning on Real News with Rick Outzen at 7:10----and when he posts the podcast I will link it here.

The Beginning:

Some time in 2016 or 2017--a tragic event unfolded on Pine Forest Road.   A young man was struck in the road by a truck, and sadly this individual--who had suffered tremendous injuries-- perished.

Meanwhile  a video emerged subsequently that was horrific:  It showed this very incident, post-accident, as the Escambia EMS crew arrived on scene.  What followed was a very slow and calous response to the scene, where the patient's body was moved improperly and handled roughly.  It was a gut-wrenching thing to watch.

As it happens, this young man's mom happens to be a registered nurse--and she was not going to let this horrible response go unnoticed.  So she reached out to administrator Jack Brown, Commissioner Grover Robinson, and the other commissioners as well.  I had a meeting with this individual in my office.  It was extremely heavy, and very tragic.  She was angry, upset, and heartbroken.  And she wanted change.  I expressed support, at that time, for fixing that issue and others this individual brought up.

The events that followed--in an effort to "fix" issues--- actually morphed into something even more sinister and destructive.  Much more on this in my continuing series on this topic.....

Interesting Information on Redistricting from County Attorney's Office.

The below four-page memo on redistricting appears to indicate that we, the county, do not necessarily have to complete the redistricting process we have started by the end of this year.  Apparently, we can finish it up by March of 2022 according to this opinion.  The only sticking point:  This additional flexibility is specifically NOT authorized for the school board member districts which MUST only be set in odd-numbered years.  Knowing we do not want to create voter confusion on this issue (Commissioner districts different than School Board Districts)--I still am of the belief we should attempt to have identical districts as has been the practice previously and also that we do not need to rush the process.  If the school board cannot finish in '22--we shouldn't rush to do so either.  Because there is NO consensus on where the lines should be drawn going forward between D1 and D2--that much we all know for sure.  Doug Underhill has expressed "silly"(a word choice he makes frequently) ideas about what he thinks the lines should look like.  His ideas are garbage that will go nowhere. So, with all this said, we will see how our first joint meeting goes--and whether or not we can realistically adhear to the aggressively-agendaed, self-imposed "schedule" the current Board Chair has set for this process to be completed.  (I'm not optimistic we'll hash it out by November 2nd--a little over a month from now--in order to meet this self-directed, rushed timeframe.  But we'll see.....)

Media Covers Closure of Escambia EMS Cases--And I'll Discuss this Topic Tomorrow Morning with Rick Outzen on WCOA

 

WEAR covered the story of the three Escambia EMS employees having their cases disposed of in the local Circuit Court.  But the WEAR format does not lend itself to the necessary "deep-dive" required to flesh out all of the important details of the cases of these four former Escambia EMS employees three of whom recently had their cases disposed of in court.

Jim Little of the PNJ did do his homework, and he put together a very good article that covered the topic well.  He has some very good quotes from the lawyer representing at least one of the employees.  And he goes into some required detail as he describes the dozens of felony charges that have been essentially dropped.

Three of the four cases are not being prosecuted.  This is incredibly important.

Many who have actually dedicated the time necessary to look into these cases and these charges and some of the  nefarious actions which were allowed to occur which ultimately led to these bogus charges being filed--yes for those of us who have been paying attention this outcome seems appropriate.

Several employees had their reputations sullied by one employee with a massive chip on her shoulder--the size of a "boulder."

I'm glad to see these cases get resolved, but I remain disgusted over the fact that this whole issue got cooked up out of whole cloth in what appears to be nothing more than an attempt at a weird kind of score-settling payback against this organization.  I'm glad that effort is unravelling before our eyes, the truth is coming to light, those who were blamed unfairly are being cleared of wrongdoing.

I have been invited to speak tomorrow morning at 7:10 AM on Real News with Rick Outzen on  WCOA about this topic specifically---and I look forward to it.  I'm not going to hold back, I'm going to tell it as I see it.  This will not be comfortable for some that were involved in this spectacle.