Re: HB 2085 - Madla amendment

[Guest guest]

Howdy !

We spoke several times in the past about this issue and I'd like to comment

on Representative Jone's letter that you posted to the Educator's listserv.

First, Mr. does not in any way speak for all educators. In fact, he

was soundly and publicly reprimanded for his message. He has since

apologized for writing it.

Second, I take exception with your comment that educators are unscrupulously

lobbying anyone's office. We are, as you probably know, expressing

ourselves. We are doing this in much the same fashion as those who have

worked with you and Representative on this issue. I fail to see how

this could possibly be considered unscrupulous. I also don't see how this

could be considered " strong-arming " anyone. We are not in a position to be

able to do this.

I'd also like to make a point about the impact of paramedic licensure on

rural areas. As you know, nothing was done to certified paramedics. There is

no legislation or rule which would require any paramedic to pursue college

education in order to become certified or work as a paramedic. This is not a

" jobs and manpower " issue. This is an issue about promoting education.

Representative Glaze filed HB 1407 last session to promote education within

the profession. As you know, he is very concerned about EMS and would never

file a bill that would punish qualified paramedics, especially those serving

in rural areas. As you know, he did not do such a thing. His bill, which

passed and created the licensed paramedic level, does not effect those who

are certified paramedics in any way. It does not require them to go back to

college. It does not require them to become licensed. It only recognizes

those who have worked to continue their education.

As the program director of a college based paramedic program, I again must

take exception to your comment that we are promoting this issue only to

" feel they must fill their classrooms at all costs " . Our program, and the

vast majority of college based programs in Texas (actually, every one that I

know of) run both degree and certificate paramedic programs. This means that

not all of our students are enrolled in our degree programs. In fact, the

majority of those in my program are enrolled in the certificate program.

They will not, upon graduation, be eligible for licensure. If they wish to

obtain the license, they must earn it by going back to school. However, they

are under no obligation to do so. They will be eligible for certification

and can work for any service in the state without gaining their license.

I feel it is dishonest to continue saying that paramedic licensure and HB

1407 are creating a shortage of paramedics in rural areas. It did not do

that when it passed. It does not do that now. It will not do that in the

future.

I would also point out that it is not only educators who oppose this

amendment. I have been contacted by TCEP which represents Texas emergency

medicine physicians as well as numerous individual paramedics who also

oppose this issue. I imagine that your office has likely heard from them as

well.

Finally, even though we disagree on this issue, there was no cause for the

type of comments that Mr. posted to our list. Again, as an educator

and as a paramedic, I apologize for his words. I do ask that you understand

that he does not speak for anyone other than himself.

Thanks for your time.

Take care,

Jeff Jarvis

______________________________

L. Jarvis, MS, EMT-P

Department Chair, EMS Technology

Temple College

http://www.templejc.edu/ems

Re: HB 2085 - Madla amendment

Ron- please share this letter to whomever you want. It was distributed

yesterday to the conferees.

Also, I spoke with in McCall's office and he said that

everything looks o.k. Educators are on the run but nothing is final

yet.

LETTER TO FOLLOW

-

May 10, 1999

VIA HAND DELIVERY

The Honorable McCall

Texas House of Representatives

Capitol Room GN.11

Re: HB 2085 (TDH Sunset Bill) Conference Committee

Dear :

There is a growing concern that certain college EMS educators have been

unscrupulously lobbying your office and others on eliminating any grand

fathering provision in HB 2085 for certified paramedics to become

licensed.

As you are aware, the Senate successfully adopted a grand fathering

provision to allow certified paramedics a time frame to apply for

licensure to the department, under certain conditions. The requirements

for field experience seem to address the issue of a properly trained

paramedic workforce.

As author of the original legislation to help bring paramedics into

licensure, HB 2324, I feel that the language adopted in the Senate is

completely fair toward acknowledging veteran paramedics in the field who

have vast experience but cannot afford to go back to college to complete

the newly adopted requirements for licensure.

But the tactics and *strong-arming* of some college educators have led

me to believe that their intentions are driven solely by their

pocketbooks and not in the interest of *public safety,* as they so

claim. Attached for your review is one disturbing email message from

Del Mar College instructor Dave on how they should *take no

prisoners* in their tactics to kill this grand fathering measure.

There is a growing shortage of qualified paramedics in this state.

Rural communities, as in my district, will be threatened with adequate

access to EMS care if we do not attempt to help out those

May 10, 1999

Re: HB 2085 Conference Committee

-page 2-

caught midstream with the newly adopted rules. This is a jobs and

manpower issue. Without grand

fathering those already out in the field protecting our communities, we

exacerbate the problem.

Please do all you can to see that we protect our qualified paramedics in

this state and not feel pressured by those college educators who feel

they must fill their classrooms at all costs.

Sincerely,

Attachment

cc: The Honorable Madla

The Honorable J.E. *Buster* Brown

The Honorable Gray

The Honorable Bob Glaze

The Honorable Harvey Hilderbran

The Honorable Fred Bosse

Mr. Terral , Governor*s Office

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