Letters: Ohio weighs in on EMS dispute

RE

"Could Private Ambulance have Saved Philadelphia Woman?":

Yes! A private ambulance service could have saved this woman's life. A private ambulance or mutual-aid service should have been called to help out after the first five to eight minutes of not being able to get a city crew to respond due to heavy call volume.

Arrogance and ego are the main factors in this lady's death. Let me quote Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, who says he was troubled by the delay in getting to Deborah Payne, and that he's always favored a fire department-based Emergency Management System and that using non-municipal ambulances present legal issues for the city, such as how standards of care would be ensured and who would be liable if things go wrong.

That's hogwash.

What makes your fire-based service better than private ambulance and EMS?

I say there is no difference in services rendered other than your staff is paid by the city, and we are paid through insurance and private pay.

What makes you think a fire-based service is capable of managing a medical patient or even a trauma patient better than a private ambulance service EMT or medic can?

Is it so hard to ask for help, or is pride more important?

We all start out the same, training to be basic EMTs and firefighters depending on where you take your initial training - from the city we live in or from a fire/EMS academy or adult education center.

When we are finished, we all take the national standard tests (National Registry, State Fire). When we pass, we receive our license, and start down the path of helping people. And we all have to keep up with continuing education.

I would like to say, commissioner, get off your high horse and smell the coffee.

Put aside your ego and pride, it never hurts to call for help.

Christopher Jarrell

Somerset, Ohio