To Mayor Ireton,
Apparently you, the Mayor have authorized Acting Chief Rick Hoppes to fill four (4) vacant paramedic positions. Several budgets back the Mayor and Council approved six (6) new paramedic positions for the Salisbury Fire Department. The incompetent leadership of the Salisbury Fire Department opted to hire basic EMT’s instead. That is right, BASIC EMT’s with minimal training when they were approved Paramedics and told to hire Paramedics.
In the opinion of many this is a violation of a direct order. In case you didn’t know there is a major difference in a Paramedic’s training vs. an EMT’s training.
What did they do with that extra money from the salaries? The Salisbury Fire Department has recently lost another 6 Paramedics and now Hoppes and Gordy is going to replace them with basic EMT’s again. The current Paramedics are burnt out and seeking employment elsewhere. This will have a devastating effect on the fire departments ability to provide essential EMS service.
The Paramedics are overworked, underpaid and treated like second class citizens. They have to work long, hard hours in run down ambulances. Hiring a firefighter/EMT is not the answer. It is not even putting a band aid on a big problem. Allowing them to hire firefighters instead of paramedics is compounding the problem for years to come.
These firefighters do not want to become paramedics so you are stuck with them for their entire career. Allowing them to be hired on the pretense they will become paramedics is a fallacy. They have tried that and the firefighters either failed out of paramedic school or dropped out. These are lost positions.
If they decide to go to paramedic school it will take a minimum of 3 to 4 years before they MIGHT become licensed and qualified or eligible to be a practicing paramedic on street. What a terrible waste of tax dollars.
There are numerous volunteer firefighters that can ride the fire engines, but there are NO volunteer Paramedics that ride the ambulances. This is what some would call malfeasance in office to allow this to happen.
These positions need to be filled by paramedics and paramedics only. Allowing this to continue is poor leadership on all levels.
THE NEED IS FOR PARAMEDICS NOT FIREFIGHTER EMT’S!!!!
Recent Paramedic Positions lost
David Merritt
Chad Snyders
Patricia Arnold
Bobby McCrorey
Corey Roberts
Shirley Reddish
36 comments:
Some would differ with Mr. Merritts opinion on the situation. While I agree that the administration has probably done this in the dark like many other this. A Paramedic is not needed on every call, they are highly trained indivuduals with great power to save lives. This extensive training is not really necessary on every emergency call. An area the size of Salisbury could very easily use a paramedic chase that responds as needed to ALS calls (advanced life support) to assist the firefigher/EMT as needed. I think if you look you will find that a significant number of the calls in the Salisbury Fire/Ambulance district are BLS. Take a look at Delaware this has been done for many years, if they can do this accross the entire county we should be much better in doing it city wide.
All of the paramedics mentioned served Salisbury superbly for many years. Thank you to each of them for their dedication. Shame on you Rick Hoppes and Jim Ireton for your poor leadership. As a long time member I know for a fact SFD used to be a great team organization. That is now a thing of the past. Salisbury is lacking the quality EMS service it used to have and it is not the fault of the paramedics. Their careers have been ruined by administration. Again I echo what has been said before. The downfall started with Barry Tilghman and her selection of Brezler as chief. Hoppes, Bragg, Gordy and Ireton have done NOTHING to improve the situation. SFD administration makes me SICK to my stomach. Remember boys, what goes round comes round.
First p-class is only two years. Second there many within the dept. taking and almost finished p-school. And last, there is one paramedic on the new hire list and one in p-class.
Anonymous said...
First p-class is only two years. Second there many within the dept. taking and almost finished p-school. And last, there is one paramedic on the new hire list and one in p-class.
12:26 PM
First p-class is only 2 years is correct, but you failed to mention that it has already started so in order for a new student to complete the program will take over 3 years from now. Dumb idiot!
One paramedic on the new list? We are talking about the fire department being down at least 10 paramedics. Where and when are you going to get the other 9 paramedics.
Anon 12:13 PM you are correct in stating that the majority of calls in the district are BLS, but the non EMS leadership is forcing paramedics on every staffed ambulance which there aren't enough and they will lose more in the near future. Again that goes back to the statement about POOR LEADERSHIP.
Sending EMT's on ambulance calls is just begging for a lawsuit. Mr. Citizen, don't think for a minute that isn't being done. If you need an ambulance you'd better ask if you or your loved one is being cared for by a paramedic. If you are being cared for by an EMT are you or your insurance carrier going to be billed accordingly? Anybody since the cost of an ambulance ride to the hospital? I have and you'd better believe it ain't cheap. If I am ill enough to require an ambulance, I want a paramedic taking care of me or my loved ones.......someone who can actually help. EMT's are only qualified to load you in the ambulance and ride to the hospital with you.
Stop making a mountian out of a mole hill! if morale is really that low do us all a favor and walk!!
Don't worry guys Chief Ireton will be giving you all a new fire chief soon. Jimmy Payne from Baltimore city is his choice and your presidents get to agree on that this coming Thursday and the new fire deparment's small conference room. Jimmy Payne knows what it is like to be burnt out and forced to ride that gut bucket 24 hours a day.
Help is on the Way!!
I am amazed every time I read another article about our Fire Deparment. Why is it in such shambles?
Anonymous said...
I am amazed every time I read another article about our Fire Deparment. Why is it in such shambles?
1:30 PM
Currently? You can blame that on Jim Ireton, Louise Smith and Gary Comegys.
There were 2 paramedics on the list not chosen. One was listed as an EMT B but had finished paramedic school. They were aware of it but didnt hire him. The other, they dont want him but he cant be any worse than what is there.
Anonymous said...
There were 2 paramedics on the list not chosen. One was listed as an EMT B but had finished paramedic school. They were aware of it but didnt hire him. The other, they dont want him but he cant be any worse than what is there.
2:48 PM
You mean to tell us that there were more qualified people and Hoppes didn't hire them? He needs to be fired immediately for that.
Hoppes does the bidding of Gordo in the department just like See did. Hoppes works for Gordo. Dont' forget that one.
Anonymous said...
There were 2 paramedics on the list not chosen. One was listed as an EMT B but had finished paramedic school. They were aware of it but didnt hire him.
2:48 PM
That is correct. This individual was interviewed several times and thought to be at the top of the list. One protocol test away from having their Maryland-P. It is obvious what the leadership is trying to do. By hiring 2 Salisbury volunteers, (a dept that is already shorthanded on the volunteer side) they want to eliminate the "combination" department and make it all career. MORE TAXPAYER'S DOLLARS.
1256, you dont know what you're talking about.
EMT-Basics are well qualified and certified by the State of MD to provide basic life support in this state. However, paramedics are better trained for more difficult situations and are considered ALS (Advanced Life Support) providers. They can do more and are vital to getting people in dire situations care.
Don't run down EMT-Bs. They go through 140+ hours of training to be able to provide Basic Life Support, and you are not "asking for a lawsuit" for having them on the ambulance, they are well qualified to be there. However, a city the size of Salisbury does need a substantial amount of paramedics for those "really bad" calls.
Out of the positions mentioned two paramedics have been hired. Two positions are froze by the Mayor. And there is at least 4 career members in class to become paramedics. Just some facts.
Anonymous said...
Hoppes does the bidding of Gordo in the department just like See did. Hoppes works for Gordo. Dont' forget that one.
3:31 PM
Even after Ireton appoints his fire chief Gordo, Hoppes and Bragg will still run the show. They will smooze over the new person just like they did with Chief Brezler and what they are doing to Jim Ireton now. It will be the same ole same ole sinking ship. Good bye the great heritage of the Salisbury Fire Department. It is history at the expense of Ireton the fraud.
I remember when it was almost impossible to get a job at the Salisbury Fire Department. There was little if any turn over. Typically the only way to get a job was if someone retired or moved out of the area, or in the rare instance, the council approved more positions. This was also when there were two career divisions, EMS and Fire. The career personnel from both divisions were held with high respect and worked well together. The paramedics were called the best in the area. Then came Brezler, and its been downhill ever since. The divisions were merged into one, many good employees left, others retired. Now they can't buy a paramedic.
4:05......I am not running down EMT's. I am stating the fact when someone is in danger of losing their life a fully trained paramedic needs to be on board. A minor situation can quickly turn into a major one so the paramedic is certainly the better choice of personnel for the ambulance. If someone in my family loses their life due to inadequate staffing you had better believe there will be a lawsuit.
5:10, it is painfully obvious you havent got a clue what you are talking about. Have you ever been on an ambulace, or ever called for als assistance, how about this, called for als assistance and when the als provider got there he told you it was pointless for him to be there. I would venture to say that over 75 percent of the calls in the entire county, and even higher in the city, are bls and even more so, bs calls.
You say you want a medic on every call in stead of a chase unit, how do you like this situation, a medic unit gets called to some bs call for someone with cold symtoms and they go and transport because the patient wanted to, meanwhile when enroute to the hospital, the first due of that same medic unit gets hit out for a non breathing infant. Oops, sorry somebodys kid has to die because you wanted to make sure a paramedic was taking care of your cold symptom. Yea, and that is a true story, like it or not.
Now you say, hire more medics. What, do you want them staffing every peice of equipment in the department, thats insane. The ambulances need to be BLS staffed with ALS chase units, that would cut down on costs, and help with the personnel situation. Hell, if slower lower delaware can make it work, then I know salisbury should be able to.
This website should be mandatory reading for everyone in school, and should be sent out to the entire county. http://www.whentocall911.com/
First off parapathetic’s are what’s ruining the fire service now, I would make a fire department and a ems department that way the turds would be off the suppression unit because despite what they all say I have yet to meet a parapathetic that wanted any parts of going into a building on fire. They need to stick to doing ems and that’s it. The fire service as a whole would be in a lot better shape that way.
6:05 You and I can go round and round all day and not agree. You have your opinion and I have mine. Yes, I have been on an ambulance and have had family members on the ambulance with PARAMEDICS. I had a parent who was dangerously close to death when the medics arrived. We are already in a precarious situation in Salisbury due to the shortage in staffing and the mechanical conditions of the ambulances. No one said hire more. We are talking about replacing those who have left. I have 30 plus years in at the SFD so I do know what is going on inside that department and it is not good. If I am paying over $600.00 for emergency care I want someone fully trained. EMT assisting yes if needed but knowing some who possess EMT certification I don't want some of them within 5 feet of me or anyone in my family. SFD administration has left a very bad scent in the air. If you are given funding to hire paramedics, then hire paramedics! No one is insulting EMT's.....just asking administration to do what they are asked to do. People are fired for not following orders and Hoppes should be fired.
It looks like a paramedic is on an ego kick here after reading. SFD does “NOT” need more paramedics, in fact it needs less. Actually the real problem is paramedics riding fire engines and firemen riding ambulances. If you took paramedic you need to be riding the ambulance. If you are a firemen you need to be on the fire engine. You see if all the paramedics were on the ambulance where they should be there would be plenty of paramedics to round. Also the majority of ems calls are not really emergencies that EMT’s could handle just fine and never turn the emergency lights on kinda like riding in a taxi cab.
Haha now you make me laugh, I have seen quite a few firefighters standing in the yard with the paramedics at fires. Hire some firemen/firewomen and fires will start going out!
This problem would have not occured if the Mayor would grow a set and hire the person he wanted from the LAST list. PLEASE bring him back -- he IS PRO EMS AND FIRE!
How about all the paramedics on the admin side that dont ride the ambulance on a regular basis if at all. How about the officer paramedics that get a $3000.00 stipend to keep their paramedic. Some of the chiefs make their paramedic officers ride the ambulance once a month. Not all of the ones getting the stipend do this and the others moan and groan about it.
Anonymous said...
Out of the positions mentioned two paramedics have been hired. Two positions are froze by the Mayor. And there is at least 4 career members in class to become paramedics. Just some facts.
4:40 PM
So do us a favor and name the names of the "at least 4 career members" who are in class? Sounds to me that you are not to confident on who really is in the class? And if they are it will take approximately 3 years before they finish the class and are ready to practice as a paramedic on their own.
How did this become a BLS vs ALS discussion. I believe the real matter here is the administration not doing what they were told to do by the mayor. They were directed to hire 4 paramedics, not EMT-B's. Those bashing paramedics are hilarious, you obviously have no clue what you are talking about. Or, did a paramedic beat you on the promotional exam.......
Anonymous said...
How about all the paramedics on the admin side that dont ride the ambulance on a regular basis if at all. How about the officer paramedics that get a $3000.00 stipend to keep their paramedic. Some of the chiefs make their paramedic officers ride the ambulance once a month. Not all of the ones getting the stipend do this and the others moan and groan about it.
8:40 PM
This is exactly the reason FARMIN should not be in charge of EMS. They have no clue what they are talking about, but they think it's best to use someone because they are a "paramedic." Those officers have done their time and they got promoted based on their knowlege and skills. Your mentality is the reason EMS should be totally separate from the fire department. A third service government run EMS department is the best answer for this problem right now.
time for the county to step up and run a county wide ambulance service, including in salisbury.
If those officers have "done their time" then they should give up their paramedice and give the 3000 back to the city to be used for better things, like finding a new fire chief. Right Larry?
It does not make sense to seperate the ems. You know how many would leave then or give up being a medic. It is nice being rotated through on the engine. Also there are good emts out there. Remember where every paramedic started, if they were not a good emt then chances are they are not a good medic.
This post and comments proves the fire people will never get along especially when we have paid fireman.
The county run a county wide ems division that is a joke. They cant even manage the volunteer fire service. Lets see its 2010 and the county has no standards for officers, no standards for equipment and who is checking to see that osha, hippa, and other manditory ems training is being completed
Breaking news boys and girls, Ocean City is opening up for Paramedic hires, 8 to be exact. Now watch the mass exitis for twice the pay in a department without all the constant disfunction.
Drew isnt going to smooze anyone. He will quietly go back to the shift he created for himself by rearranging the career division. This allowed for him to have 9 drivers making it easier to do staffing and he got rid of his problem people because he couldnt handle them. Now we have to wait to see where pokie goes when the acting lt process is overwith.
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