Mayor Plans to Phase Out EMTs

[VentMedic]

New Jersey Mayor Plans to Phase Out EMTs

http://www.emsresponder.com/article/...tion=1&id=6657

By ALEXANDER MacINNES
Herald News (Passaic County, NJ)

PATERSON - Despite talk to the contrary, 37 emergency medical technicians manning the city's ambulances will not be laid off but phased out gradually and replaced by firefighters, according to Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres.

Torres said firefighters are being trained as certified EMTs so that they can fill vacancies in the future in an effort to cut down on staffing redundancy and solve a recent problem of EMTs failing to report for work. It is unclear how much money will be saved.

http://www.emsresponder.com/article/...tion=1&id=6657

Emergency medical technicians work out of firehouses and respond to accidents and other medical emergencies. Unlike paramedics, who operate from the two city hospitals Barnert and St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, EMTs are not authorized to conduct advanced-life support procedures, Brown said.

Starting salaries for both firefighters and technicians are similar, with firefighters receiving $25,064 after six months and EMTs earning almost $22,000, McLaughlin said.

Larger cities in New Jersey often keep the ambulance and fire department operations separate, according to Howard Meyer, legislative director for the New Jersey State First Aid Council. Camden, Atlantic City and Newark do not dedicate firefighters to ambulance duties, Meyer said. The reason for the practice is that firefighters generally resist such a personnel move, he added.

"I have met very few firefighters," Meyer said, "that tell me that they've become firefighters to do EMS."

http://www.emsresponder.com/article/...tion=1&id=6657

[Arkymedic]

Originally Posted by VentMedic

New Jersey Mayor Plans to Phase Out EMTs

http://www.emsresponder.com/article/...tion=1&id=6657

By ALEXANDER MacINNES
Herald News (Passaic County, NJ)

PATERSON - Despite talk to the contrary, 37 emergency medical technicians manning the city's ambulances will not be laid off but phased out gradually and replaced by firefighters, according to Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres.

Torres said firefighters are being trained as certified EMTs so that they can fill vacancies in the future in an effort to cut down on staffing redundancy and solve a recent problem of EMTs failing to report for work. It is unclear how much money will be saved.

http://www.emsresponder.com/article/...tion=1&id=6657





http://www.emsresponder.com/article/...tion=1&id=6657

Oh dear God the sh** will hit the fan in here now... *hides all the soap boxes rapidly*

[rgnoon]

Damn, I wish I had seen that before the call I just ran with St. Joe's Medics. I would have like to hear their input.

[Flight-LP]

~~Ducks behind cover~~~

Personally, I agree with the plan. If EMT's are not showing for work, get rid of 'em! While I do believe that most fire based services are not "up to par" (mostly because lazy firefighter don't want to do the job), it makes good business sense to have firefighters perform those duties. I am really tired of hearing hose monkeys whine because they actually have to work for their paycheck. Granted the salaries listed in the article are horrible, but in some places, firefighter make up to and over $100k per year. Mostly to sit around and wait. Utilize them to the fullest, get your money's worth.................

[Ridryder911]

I have several questions or at least I am confused of the situation. First, it appears they have the EMT's as civilian EMS service as a division of Fire, (of course lower pay, no benefits in comparison to F/F's).

As well, why is there duplication of services? (Paramedics at hospital based EMS, Basic at city) Waste of money and resources. Why would a city want a basic service, and then a Paramedic service? Foolishness. Every truck should be ALS, and then have the FD respond in conjunction with the ALS EMS transport unit.

I agree, if they were terrible employees then fire them. It does appear however; there is internal politics in regards to a heavy hand of FD involved. I do not understand the requirements of living within city limits, such requirements stopped >20 years ago. I am sure there is much that is not said. Like other cities that are trimming the budget, protection of the FD is going to be the first priority, even if they are not trained and prepared and even in this case, will not save any money.

I do believe we should be responsible enough for our own profession. Foolish persons and idiots that are not responsible enough to have good work ethics and standards brings down our profession as well gives ammunition to place EMS into areas that it should not be.

R/r 911

[BossyCow]

As I read it, they have FF/EMT's and EMT's who are not Firefighters. By going to all FF/EMT's they simply use the EMT they currently are paying to fight fires and eliminate the ones who just do the Aid calls.

And where do Firefighters make $100K? Hubby's been in it for 20+ years and not making anywhere near that and he's also a paramedic. Perhaps he needs to find a higher paying department to retire from.

[rgnoon]

Originally Posted by Ridryder911

As well, why is there duplication of services? (Paramedics at hospital based EMS, Basic at city) Waste of money and resources. Why would a city want a basic service, and then a Paramedic service? Foolishness. Every truck should be ALS, and then have the FD respond in conjunction with the ALS EMS transport unit.

R/r 911

Just FYI, The ALS spoken of is private and not city-funded and covers an area much greater than just the city of Patterson.