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WHO CARES ABOUT EMS?
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So, who cares about the Emergency Medical Service? If you asked that question a few years ago I could have told you no one cares. But today that has all changed! Today the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is very concerned about the welfare of EMS systems across the US and Canada. Why? Because as fires decline across the nation and municipalities look to cut back on bloated, and inefficient Fire Departments the IAFF (The largest Fire Department union in the world) wants to save Firefighter jobs. How will they do this? By having local Fire Departments take over the local EMS systems and have Firefighters perform EMS work so their members will still have some type of work to do and so that these Fire Departments can generate a source of revenue for themselves and their municipalities. Lets face facts if the communities close firehouses and downsize their Fire Departments the IAFF loses a huge amount of funding because they no longer have the same amount of dues paying members. But don't take my word for it lets look at some of the remarks made by IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger had to say when he spoke at the 7th Biennial EMS Conference in 2003. For what it's worth the IAFF speaking at an EMS conference is like have Doctor Kevorkian teach CPR.
In reference to the media and politicians participating in the IAFF's FIRE OPS 101 program:
"We showed them what we already knew: that no one does emergency response better than crossed trained/multi role fire fighters; that no one else responds to all types of emergencies as efficiently and no one else does it as effectively."
Talking about using EMS to finance Fire Department operations:
"Our expert IAFF staff has drafted hundreds of EMS integration plans to help our local affiliates along with their cities, counties, and fire districts build, enhance, and protect effective cost-efficient fire-based EMS programs. In many cases, we have helped communities to use EMS transport to bolster revenues that have been put back into fire department operations."
The last line is a lie. Most Fire Departments including FDNY did not want EMS work and are doing it only to save their jobs:
"The programs and workshops we have offered at our EMS conferences have made the difference in securing fire-based EMS in many communities. We have done our job, and we are getting close to fulfilling our mission in the U.S. as our locals have enthusiastically embraced EMS."
The IAFF looks forward to a well funded future both here in the US and in Canada by taking over more EMS systems:
"Our next frontier is Canada. That is why we have more than three dozen of our Canadian brothers and sisters here at this conference. Although most of Canada is still locked into a third-service EMS system with workers represented by Canada's largest public employee union, our Winnipeg local's success in integrating EMS into its fire department has shown that fire-based EMS can and, if I have my way, will work in Canada, too."
The truth comes out:
"But as one of this union's most fundamental responsibilities, our involvement in EMS has also helped us create and save jobs for our members. I don't have to tell any of you that the faltering economy here in the U.S. has put incredible pressure on many fire departments, creating the worst economic crisis for the fire service in many sections of the country in more than two decades. The fall of the stock market, declining tax revenues, reduced federal dollars to states and cities, state after state posting record deficits, businesses shutting down and laying off employees, and Bush administration policies that increase deficits and fail to spur economic growth. These and other factors are forcing municipal and county officials to tighten their belts and this time the fire service is part of that budget cutting equation. Some cities and counties are in desperate financial shape but in other places elected officials are using the failing economy as an excuse to make foolish and dangerous cuts in their fire departments. As local elected officials cry poor we are seeing layoffs of fire fighters in cities from coast to coast. Fire department positions are being eliminated by attrition, cities are reluctant to pay overtime to cover staffing shortages, and our members are being asked to pay higher health insurance premiums and co-pays."
And he goes on and on. Now we see the truth:
"San Francisco Local President John Hanley was supposed to be here today along with four of his board members, but they had to cancel at the last minute because Brother Hanley needs to stay home and battle the city officials who have the long knives out for his fire department. That goes for Worcester President Frank Raffa too. He has already weathered 20 layoffs in his fire department and he must stay in his city to battle further cuts proposed by his city manager and council. Tom Thornburg, our Minneapolis president, is not here either. He is fighting to win back the jobs of 44 of our brothers and sisters who were laid off in that city and fight further cuts proposed by the mayor. And Dan Terry our California State president canceled his plans to attend this conference because he is leading the fight against a recall of Governor Gray Davis, who gave our members binding arbitration and signed off on 63 new laws during his first term that enhanced our members pay benefits and working conditions. And these are only a few of the hurdles our locals face. IAFF affiliates in Massachusetts, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Arizona, and many other states are also threatened with layoffs and other cuts that would imperil the safety of our members."
(If your EMS system is in one of the above areas and you have not been taken over guess who's coming to dinner?)
Money, money, money:
"In fact, our research is showing a trend that those fire departments that don't provide EMS are taking the worst hits right now – and that is no coincidence. Like fire suppression and the other specialized rescue jobs performed by fire fighters, EMS is a vital service. It is a highly visible service both to public officials and to the citizens of a community. Most people expect to need EMS some time in their lives while they don't necessarily expect their homes to catch fire. Local municipal officials know the public criticism and fallout from fire department cuts will be much more severe when EMS is involved in the equation. And they know that EMS operations certainly increase the clout of our local unions in their campaigns to fight those cuts. The programs and workshops over the next three days are one set of important tools and resources that will help you protect your members from these harsh economic times and I am confident we will endure them as we always have in the past. On balance, we are weathering these trying economic times winning many more battles than we lose, and in more cases than not we have prevailed."
Anything for a buck:
"Are we ready to embrace treat-and-release programs in the field, other home health care services and providing vaccinations and inoculations? These are but a few of the opportunities that will exist if we are open to them. We must continue to ask ourselves what elements of the health care system can be provided through our streamlined fire-based EMS structure. And will those elements provide additional revenue streams that can help protect our members’ jobs and help the fire service grow?"
To sum it all up this means only one thing. The IAFF and the Fire Departments they represent are in financial trouble. They would put garbage hoppers on the fire trucks if they thought that they would get a few extra dollars from their locals. The care most of these departments provide is substandard because of two reasons....well actually a lot more than two reasons...but two of the reasons are the majority of Firefighters do not want to do EMS. If they did they would have joined an EMS service not a Fire Department. Another reason is anyone who is providing EMS just to keep their Fire Department from suffering cutbacks is not a good pre hospital provider. When you see a patient as just a revenue source you are no longer a pre hospital care provider you are a revenue agent. Is that the type of person you want coming to your house? Some Firefighter who is more concerned more about how much revenue you will provide instead of what is wrong with you or your family member and how best to treat the illness or injury.
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