Post by canton1 on Mar 5, 2006 8:29:40 GMT -5
Illinois Fire Chief Draws Flack for EMS Decision
A split-second decision to take an injured firefighter to the hospital may cost the fire chief his emergency medical technician's license and censure of the department where he's volunteered for 30 years.
Chief John Doering says he was just using common sense when he ordered the firefighter put in the back of his department's rescue truck and transported to a nearby hospital: There was no ambulance nearby.
The Peoria-Area Emergency Medical System, however, says Doering's decision violated state law. Dunlap is not a licensed transport provider.
The mess evolved from a cardiac emergency call the all-volunteer squad got more than three months ago. Eleven members of the Dunlap Fire Protection District, including Doering, arrived. As the crew wheeled the patient out to a waiting ambulance, one of the firefighters collapsed.
Doering called over the radio to ask whether another ambulance was nearby. When he was told "no," Doering ordered two of his EMT-trained firefighters to take their fellow firefighter, who by then had regained consciousness, to the hospital.
Part of what's at issue: At what point does a firefighter or other emergency personnel become a patient?
"This is about making a common-sense decision," Doering said. "If we would've thrown this firefighter in a pickup and taken him in, no one would've said anything, but because he was put into a district-owned vehicle and given a higher level of care they claim we violated (procedure)."
Doering says the situation is rare, happening "maybe once every four or five years," adding that the decision follows his department's policy and feels it's akin to any employer taking a hurt employee to the hospital in a company vehicle.
"You are talking about people who give up their personal time for nothing but to help make a difference in their community," Doering said of his volunteer department. "I would not hesitate to do it again if the situation merited it."
The Dunlap firefighter was later released after receiving tests at Methodist Medical Center.
Dr. Matthew Jackson, director for PAEMS, declined to comment on the issue Thursday, but in a letter penned last month to fire chiefs throughout Peoria County said he doesn't disagree with the need to take the individual to the hospital, nor in a non-transport vehicle.
"This incident is clearly different than merely giving an injured employee a ride to the hospital as emergency medical care was rendered to the patient prior to and during transport," Jackson wrote.
PAEMS, a local arm of the Illinois Department of Public Health, advises and regulates emergency medical services, EMT training and licensing as well as insuring quality pre-hospital care is provided.
"The crew, under Chief Doering's order, used their rescue truck as an ambulance, a practice for which neither the vehicle nor the agency is licensed for," Jackson continued.
He adds that Doering made the problem worse: "This whole incident could have been averted if he would have merely given us his assurances that he would either not transport pre-hospital patients in the future, or seek the appropriate licensure and waivers necessary to transport patients in the future."
Both men said Thursday they hope the dispute comes to an amicable conclusion soon. Both sides have attorneys discussing the issue.
"They (PAEMS) have rules they want to enforce," Doering said. "We just want to make sure that a firefighter gets the care he needs."
A split-second decision to take an injured firefighter to the hospital may cost the fire chief his emergency medical technician's license and censure of the department where he's volunteered for 30 years.
Chief John Doering says he was just using common sense when he ordered the firefighter put in the back of his department's rescue truck and transported to a nearby hospital: There was no ambulance nearby.
The Peoria-Area Emergency Medical System, however, says Doering's decision violated state law. Dunlap is not a licensed transport provider.
The mess evolved from a cardiac emergency call the all-volunteer squad got more than three months ago. Eleven members of the Dunlap Fire Protection District, including Doering, arrived. As the crew wheeled the patient out to a waiting ambulance, one of the firefighters collapsed.
Doering called over the radio to ask whether another ambulance was nearby. When he was told "no," Doering ordered two of his EMT-trained firefighters to take their fellow firefighter, who by then had regained consciousness, to the hospital.
Part of what's at issue: At what point does a firefighter or other emergency personnel become a patient?
"This is about making a common-sense decision," Doering said. "If we would've thrown this firefighter in a pickup and taken him in, no one would've said anything, but because he was put into a district-owned vehicle and given a higher level of care they claim we violated (procedure)."
Doering says the situation is rare, happening "maybe once every four or five years," adding that the decision follows his department's policy and feels it's akin to any employer taking a hurt employee to the hospital in a company vehicle.
"You are talking about people who give up their personal time for nothing but to help make a difference in their community," Doering said of his volunteer department. "I would not hesitate to do it again if the situation merited it."
The Dunlap firefighter was later released after receiving tests at Methodist Medical Center.
Dr. Matthew Jackson, director for PAEMS, declined to comment on the issue Thursday, but in a letter penned last month to fire chiefs throughout Peoria County said he doesn't disagree with the need to take the individual to the hospital, nor in a non-transport vehicle.
"This incident is clearly different than merely giving an injured employee a ride to the hospital as emergency medical care was rendered to the patient prior to and during transport," Jackson wrote.
PAEMS, a local arm of the Illinois Department of Public Health, advises and regulates emergency medical services, EMT training and licensing as well as insuring quality pre-hospital care is provided.
"The crew, under Chief Doering's order, used their rescue truck as an ambulance, a practice for which neither the vehicle nor the agency is licensed for," Jackson continued.
He adds that Doering made the problem worse: "This whole incident could have been averted if he would have merely given us his assurances that he would either not transport pre-hospital patients in the future, or seek the appropriate licensure and waivers necessary to transport patients in the future."
Both men said Thursday they hope the dispute comes to an amicable conclusion soon. Both sides have attorneys discussing the issue.
"They (PAEMS) have rules they want to enforce," Doering said. "We just want to make sure that a firefighter gets the care he needs."