Re: Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

[Guest guest]

The solution to situations like this is not allowing " variances " from rules

and standards designed to insure a consistent level of EMS quality in our

state. Nor is it to accept lower standards for EMS education, competency

maintenance, and EMS service equipment and performance as many of our

colleagues seem to think. This is the " lower the river " approach. The

solution is to develop for the first time a comprehensive EMS plan for the

whole state that is backed by legislation that provides funding mechanisms

needed to support it and that places responsibility for providing EMS on an

entity accountable to the voters, the County Judge and County Commissioners.

EMS should be legally declared an essential service. Funding mechanisms must

be devised that insure counties can meet the responsibility. Standards

should not be lowered, they should be raised. A mediocre EMS service is

worse than no EMS service at all!. At least in the latter case, Joe Citizen

knows he has a problem and can take his displeasure to the people he elects.

In the former case, he knows no different until it is too late. Stop trying

to build up more enthusiasm for lowering the river! Let's raise the bridge

instead!

Dave

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

>

>

> Anyone else angry yet? The State in it's infinite wisdom has ordered

> a service to comply above what it could afford, without offering any

> financial way for them to do it. Presidio EMS is on this same track.

> At what point does this become a state/federal problem..when all rural

> and frontier services are a thing of the past? Just because it isn't

> your service doesn't mean it is not your problem. Ron- do you have

> any addresses for the city council of Shepard or their EMS?

>

>

> > The Huntsvilles Item: News Column

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Shepherd EMS closes its doors; county down to one EMS provider

> >

> >

> > By Mike Wheeler/The Huntsville Item

> >

> > POINT BLANK - San Jacinto County Judge Joe met with

> members of the Point Blank Rural Emergency Medical Services board on

> Wednesday to try and reach an agreement with the group to continue

> providing services to the entire county until a plan is developed to

> restore the Shepherd EMS, which closed its doors late Tuesday.

> >

> > Point Blank EMS Board President Jack Langley assured that

> their volunteers would continue to provide emergency medical services

> for the county, but would not guarantee 24-hour-a-day,

> seven-day-a-week service for any area other than Point Blank.

> >

> > Langley said also that Point Blank would put an ambulance in

> Shepherd, but there would be a need for six to eight certified

> volunteers on call from the Shepherd area in order to provide full

> emergency services.

> >

> > Those volunteers must agree to work under the same Texas

> Department of Health medical director, as does Point Blank.

> >

> > On Tuesday, Shepherd EMS Manager Barbara Clements had told

> commissioners that she would keep the EMS open as long as possible,

> but said Wednesday during the board meeting in Point Blank that

> he had been informed earlier in the day that Shepherd EMS had closed

> its doors at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

> >

> > " What I came here tonight for is to get an idea from the Point

> Blank Rural EMS about what part you want to play in solving this

> situation, " said. " We all realize that you are a volunteer group

> and have created a very good organization. We want you to be a part of

> developing an EMS plan for the county, but what part you play must be

> determined by you. "

> >

> > said even if the county chooses to seek proposals outside

> the county for an EMS provider, the commissioners still want Point

> Blank to be involved.

> >

> > " We have extenuating circumstances in San Jacinto County, "

> said. " We don't have a hospital district, we are extremely rural and

> we have no large city to help us out. But we still must come up with a

> plan. Even if we throw everything else out the window, we still have

> the problem of very limited emergency medical services in the county. "

> >

> > Any EMS plan, said, is going to be expensive.

> >

> > " I believe the people want it, but we will need financial help

> and that kind of help must come from the people, " said. " There

> are lots of theories why the referendum to form an emergency services

> district failed last year, but if you buy into it this time, if we

> choose to do it that way again, we will see the support come. It's

> very hard to get the people to vote for something they can't see the

> end result of. No one plans on an emergency, until they have one and

> desperately need an ambulance. "

> >

> > Langley said Point Blank would be involved in whatever the

> county chose to do, but added that, " we are hesitant to get involved

> countywide. We will not agree, at this time, to say that Point Blank

> will be a part of a county EMS. If we see that it does work in the

> future, then we might. It seems to us that the county has a hard time

> with its own budget, much less with an additional EMS budget. "

> >

> > said the county must move fast to hold a referendum to

> create an ESD.

> >

> > " It must be done in time to get any funding for the district on

> the tax rolls. We have until July 25 to call for the election, and

> there are certain issues in doing that that must be addressed that

> will take time. But we do have time if we move fast. Even if we do

> that, though, it will be October before there is any funding for the

> new emergency services district. "

> >

> > Langley said the Point Blank group would not object to working

> with any other EMS provider, but added that he didn't believe it would

> ever agree to become the county's EMS provider.

> >

> > But he did suggest that the county " start small with what it can

> afford. "

> >

> > " We will, as we have said, continue to be the EMS provider for

> the county until you do solve this problem, but we also would like

> some help from Shepherd and the other communities in covering

> additional costs that will be involved, especially with fuel costs, "

> Langley said. " And we also will need enough volunteers in Shepherd and

> Coldspring to provide full-time emergency coverage. "

> >

> > agreed and said he would approach the Shepherd City

> Council and others to request that each community help Point Blank

> with the additional costs.

> >

> > " Point Blank should not have to dip into its own funds to

> provide services for Shepherd, or any other part of the county, " he

> said, adding that he also would prepare a specific written plan the

> county would use to address the existing situation and how it will

> correct the situation in the future, then present the plan to the

> Point Blank board.

> >

> > " Hopefully, I will be able to get this plan to you by the end of

> the week, " said.

> >

> > - Byron Hays can be reached at , ext. 3026 or by

> e-mail at itembrh@y...

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

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> ][ Calendar ][ Business Guide ]

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> >

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> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Any TDH big wigs want to take a stab at this, and commit on what Raina posted

also.

Kathy? Jim?

What can we do to prevent this from happening again?

Re: Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

Rock on brother. I have e-mailed the reporter of this story to obtain

additional information and to contact the county judge. There is a avenue

the county can take to solve this problem but they have to be willing to

work together. It definitely seems that they are willing to do that by this

article, but some services have reservations. Is there not an emergency

appropriations bill or TDH grant that the county can access????

Joby Berkley

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

> Anyone else angry yet? The State in it's infinite wisdom has ordered

> a service to comply above what it could afford, without offering any

> financial way for them to do it. Presidio EMS is on this same track.

> At what point does this become a state/federal problem..when all rural

> and frontier services are a thing of the past? Just because it isn't

> your service doesn't mean it is not your problem. Ron- do you have

> any addresses for the city council of Shepard or their EMS?

>

>

> > The Huntsvilles Item: News Column

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Shepherd EMS closes its doors; county down to one EMS provider

> >

> >

> > By Mike Wheeler/The Huntsville Item

> >

> > POINT BLANK - San Jacinto County Judge Joe met with

> members of the Point Blank Rural Emergency Medical Services board on

> Wednesday to try and reach an agreement with the group to continue

> providing services to the entire county until a plan is developed to

> restore the Shepherd EMS, which closed its doors late Tuesday.

> >

> > Point Blank EMS Board President Jack Langley assured that

> their volunteers would continue to provide emergency medical services

> for the county, but would not guarantee 24-hour-a-day,

> seven-day-a-week service for any area other than Point Blank.

> >

> > Langley said also that Point Blank would put an ambulance in

> Shepherd, but there would be a need for six to eight certified

> volunteers on call from the Shepherd area in order to provide full

> emergency services.

> >

> > Those volunteers must agree to work under the same Texas

> Department of Health medical director, as does Point Blank.

> >

> > On Tuesday, Shepherd EMS Manager Barbara Clements had told

> commissioners that she would keep the EMS open as long as possible,

> but said Wednesday during the board meeting in Point Blank that

> he had been informed earlier in the day that Shepherd EMS had closed

> its doors at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

> >

> > " What I came here tonight for is to get an idea from the Point

> Blank Rural EMS about what part you want to play in solving this

> situation, " said. " We all realize that you are a volunteer group

> and have created a very good organization. We want you to be a part of

> developing an EMS plan for the county, but what part you play must be

> determined by you. "

> >

> > said even if the county chooses to seek proposals outside

> the county for an EMS provider, the commissioners still want Point

> Blank to be involved.

> >

> > " We have extenuating circumstances in San Jacinto County, "

> said. " We don't have a hospital district, we are extremely rural and

> we have no large city to help us out. But we still must come up with a

> plan. Even if we throw everything else out the window, we still have

> the problem of very limited emergency medical services in the county. "

> >

> > Any EMS plan, said, is going to be expensive.

> >

> > " I believe the people want it, but we will need financial help

> and that kind of help must come from the people, " said. " There

> are lots of theories why the referendum to form an emergency services

> district failed last year, but if you buy into it this time, if we

> choose to do it that way again, we will see the support come. It's

> very hard to get the people to vote for something they can't see the

> end result of. No one plans on an emergency, until they have one and

> desperately need an ambulance. "

> >

> > Langley said Point Blank would be involved in whatever the

> county chose to do, but added that, " we are hesitant to get involved

> countywide. We will not agree, at this time, to say that Point Blank

> will be a part of a county EMS. If we see that it does work in the

> future, then we might. It seems to us that the county has a hard time

> with its own budget, much less with an additional EMS budget. "

> >

> > said the county must move fast to hold a referendum to

> create an ESD.

> >

> > " It must be done in time to get any funding for the district on

> the tax rolls. We have until July 25 to call for the election, and

> there are certain issues in doing that that must be addressed that

> will take time. But we do have time if we move fast. Even if we do

> that, though, it will be October before there is any funding for the

> new emergency services district. "

> >

> > Langley said the Point Blank group would not object to working

> with any other EMS provider, but added that he didn't believe it would

> ever agree to become the county's EMS provider.

> >

> > But he did suggest that the county " start small with what it can

> afford. "

> >

> > " We will, as we have said, continue to be the EMS provider for

> the county until you do solve this problem, but we also would like

> some help from Shepherd and the other communities in covering

> additional costs that will be involved, especially with fuel costs, "

> Langley said. " And we also will need enough volunteers in Shepherd and

> Coldspring to provide full-time emergency coverage. "

> >

> > agreed and said he would approach the Shepherd City

> Council and others to request that each community help Point Blank

> with the additional costs.

> >

> > " Point Blank should not have to dip into its own funds to

> provide services for Shepherd, or any other part of the county, " he

> said, adding that he also would prepare a specific written plan the

> county would use to address the existing situation and how it will

> correct the situation in the future, then present the plan to the

> Point Blank board.

> >

> > " Hopefully, I will be able to get this plan to you by the end of

> the week, " said.

> >

> > - Byron Hays can be reached at , ext. 3026 or by

> e-mail at itembrh@y...

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> > [ Home Page ][ Local News ][ Obituaries ][ Guestbook ][ Classifieds

> ][ Calendar ][ Business Guide ]

> > [ About Us ][ Subscribe ][ Letters ][ Health ][ Entertainment

> Town hall ][ World News ][ Stocks/Market ]

> >

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Dave,

The county does need to be accountable for EMS. But, when you have a county

commissioner sit in open court and say, " we are not in the ambulance business

and don't want to be " what is a provider or city to do? I understand that when

you don't have the money to operate, there is not much one can do but close, and

leave that area uncovered. Trust me, there is about 200 sq miles of Hill County

that is uncovered. There are providers that cover the area, but it is hit and

miss as to which one of the three you will get and how long it will take them to

get there. This also places a strain on that particular service, pulling a unit

from their coverage area.

Counties, don't want to give up the money for these services, but when they do,

it's just as little as possible.

If something is not done on the state and or federal level, there will be alot

more of these services closing there doors. Leaving lots of people without EMS

coverage.

The other option that Shepherd may have had, was providing coverage during

certain hours only. Volunteer service have a hard time getting people that can

take off during the day to run calls.

What is the answer to this situation?

Wayne

Re: Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

The solution to situations like this is not allowing " variances " from rules

and standards designed to insure a consistent level of EMS quality in our

state. Nor is it to accept lower standards for EMS education, competency

maintenance, and EMS service equipment and performance as many of our

colleagues seem to think. This is the " lower the river " approach. The

solution is to develop for the first time a comprehensive EMS plan for the

whole state that is backed by legislation that provides funding mechanisms

needed to support it and that places responsibility for providing EMS on an

entity accountable to the voters, the County Judge and County Commissioners.

EMS should be legally declared an essential service. Funding mechanisms must

be devised that insure counties can meet the responsibility. Standards

should not be lowered, they should be raised. A mediocre EMS service is

worse than no EMS service at all!. At least in the latter case, Joe Citizen

knows he has a problem and can take his displeasure to the people he elects.

In the former case, he knows no different until it is too late. Stop trying

to build up more enthusiasm for lowering the river! Let's raise the bridge

instead!

Dave

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

>

>

> Anyone else angry yet? The State in it's infinite wisdom has ordered

> a service to comply above what it could afford, without offering any

> financial way for them to do it. Presidio EMS is on this same track.

> At what point does this become a state/federal problem..when all rural

> and frontier services are a thing of the past? Just because it isn't

> your service doesn't mean it is not your problem. Ron- do you have

> any addresses for the city council of Shepard or their EMS?

>

>

> > The Huntsvilles Item: News Column

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Shepherd EMS closes its doors; county down to one EMS provider

> >

> >

> > By Mike Wheeler/The Huntsville Item

> >

> > POINT BLANK - San Jacinto County Judge Joe met with

> members of the Point Blank Rural Emergency Medical Services board on

> Wednesday to try and reach an agreement with the group to continue

> providing services to the entire county until a plan is developed to

> restore the Shepherd EMS, which closed its doors late Tuesday.

> >

> > Point Blank EMS Board President Jack Langley assured that

> their volunteers would continue to provide emergency medical services

> for the county, but would not guarantee 24-hour-a-day,

> seven-day-a-week service for any area other than Point Blank.

> >

> > Langley said also that Point Blank would put an ambulance in

> Shepherd, but there would be a need for six to eight certified

> volunteers on call from the Shepherd area in order to provide full

> emergency services.

> >

> > Those volunteers must agree to work under the same Texas

> Department of Health medical director, as does Point Blank.

> >

> > On Tuesday, Shepherd EMS Manager Barbara Clements had told

> commissioners that she would keep the EMS open as long as possible,

> but said Wednesday during the board meeting in Point Blank that

> he had been informed earlier in the day that Shepherd EMS had closed

> its doors at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

> >

> > " What I came here tonight for is to get an idea from the Point

> Blank Rural EMS about what part you want to play in solving this

> situation, " said. " We all realize that you are a volunteer group

> and have created a very good organization. We want you to be a part of

> developing an EMS plan for the county, but what part you play must be

> determined by you. "

> >

> > said even if the county chooses to seek proposals outside

> the county for an EMS provider, the commissioners still want Point

> Blank to be involved.

> >

> > " We have extenuating circumstances in San Jacinto County, "

> said. " We don't have a hospital district, we are extremely rural and

> we have no large city to help us out. But we still must come up with a

> plan. Even if we throw everything else out the window, we still have

> the problem of very limited emergency medical services in the county. "

> >

> > Any EMS plan, said, is going to be expensive.

> >

> > " I believe the people want it, but we will need financial help

> and that kind of help must come from the people, " said. " There

> are lots of theories why the referendum to form an emergency services

> district failed last year, but if you buy into it this time, if we

> choose to do it that way again, we will see the support come. It's

> very hard to get the people to vote for something they can't see the

> end result of. No one plans on an emergency, until they have one and

> desperately need an ambulance. "

> >

> > Langley said Point Blank would be involved in whatever the

> county chose to do, but added that, " we are hesitant to get involved

> countywide. We will not agree, at this time, to say that Point Blank

> will be a part of a county EMS. If we see that it does work in the

> future, then we might. It seems to us that the county has a hard time

> with its own budget, much less with an additional EMS budget. "

> >

> > said the county must move fast to hold a referendum to

> create an ESD.

> >

> > " It must be done in time to get any funding for the district on

> the tax rolls. We have until July 25 to call for the election, and

> there are certain issues in doing that that must be addressed that

> will take time. But we do have time if we move fast. Even if we do

> that, though, it will be October before there is any funding for the

> new emergency services district. "

> >

> > Langley said the Point Blank group would not object to working

> with any other EMS provider, but added that he didn't believe it would

> ever agree to become the county's EMS provider.

> >

> > But he did suggest that the county " start small with what it can

> afford. "

> >

> > " We will, as we have said, continue to be the EMS provider for

> the county until you do solve this problem, but we also would like

> some help from Shepherd and the other communities in covering

> additional costs that will be involved, especially with fuel costs, "

> Langley said. " And we also will need enough volunteers in Shepherd and

> Coldspring to provide full-time emergency coverage. "

> >

> > agreed and said he would approach the Shepherd City

> Council and others to request that each community help Point Blank

> with the additional costs.

> >

> > " Point Blank should not have to dip into its own funds to

> provide services for Shepherd, or any other part of the county, " he

> said, adding that he also would prepare a specific written plan the

> county would use to address the existing situation and how it will

> correct the situation in the future, then present the plan to the

> Point Blank board.

> >

> > " Hopefully, I will be able to get this plan to you by the end of

> the week, " said.

> >

> > - Byron Hays can be reached at , ext. 3026 or by

> e-mail at itembrh@y...

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> > [ Home Page ][ Local News ][ Obituaries ][ Guestbook ][ Classifieds

> ][ Calendar ][ Business Guide ]

> > [ About Us ][ Subscribe ][ Letters ][ Health ][ Entertainment ][

> Town hall ][ World News ][ Stocks/Market ]

> >

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Joby,

I would have to agree with you. TDH should NOT be telling ANY service they have

to hire people to run it. If that is the case there would not be any volunteer

services in the state.

They set the standards for what the staffing should be for each level, but there

is nothing in there that says, they have the authority to mandate that a service

hire full time staff. Unless that regional person was trying to make it harder

on that service, but I doubt that. Maybe they suggested that they hire people

to help cover a certain time frame. I know that most volunteer providers have a

hard time getting weekday day-time coverage. At one time, I worked for a

volunteer service during the day, and at night the volunteers took over until 6

or 7 the next morning, except for weekends.

It might have been in the best interest that they service change the level of

it's certification. If it were say an MICU only, it might have been better to

change it to BLS with MICU capabilities or ALS.

Unless it has changed, BLS units are only required 2 ECAs or ECA/EMT.

It would be interesting to know what TDH did tell them. If they did say, you

have to hire full-time staff, that is not right. If they start mandating that

you have to hire full-time staff, then TDH should have to furnish that staff.

Put some of the desk people back on the streets. Whoever, I don;t see that

lasting very long. But an idea.

Just my thoughts

WD

Re: Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

Ok Dave,

I get what you are saying except for one thing. I have a problem with the

TDH coming in and telling a Vol. EMS organization it needs to hire FT

people. Does anyone remember what the exact reason for this mandate was????

>From what I understand about the rules, I was under the impression that TDH

could only mandate what staffing configuration you must have by the level

of the license. BLS units are only required to have an ECA / EMT

configuration and an MICU level unit has to have a EMT-P / EMT

configuration. Also, you only have to have two certified individuals to

transport the patient, not to respond to the patient!!! I do not know where

the state can mandate a service hire individuals, especially if they have no

funds and have no way of gaining funds. Some vol. services do not even bill

the patient nor their insurance. If these type of services are strictly

funded by the County Commissioners Court and receive a portion of funds by

the county fire district, which if memory serves me correctly was in the

ball park of $25,000.00 per year, how can any service hire for that amount.

I have had the privilege of running a high performance system in the

Metroplex and I can tell you first hand that no one can hire highly skilled

employees for that. I have some ideas that could place a few of these

individuals in the county but it would take a bit more than $25 thousand a

year.

Joby Berkley

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

> >

> >

> > Anyone else angry yet? The State in it's infinite wisdom has ordered

> > a service to comply above what it could afford, without offering any

> > financial way for them to do it. Presidio EMS is on this same track.

> > At what point does this become a state/federal problem..when all rural

> > and frontier services are a thing of the past? Just because it isn't

> > your service doesn't mean it is not your problem. Ron- do you have

> > any addresses for the city council of Shepard or their EMS?

> >

> >

> > > The Huntsvilles Item: News Column

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Shepherd EMS closes its doors; county down to one EMS provider

> > >

> > >

> > > By Mike Wheeler/The Huntsville Item

> > >

> > > POINT BLANK - San Jacinto County Judge Joe met with

> > members of the Point Blank Rural Emergency Medical Services board on

> > Wednesday to try and reach an agreement with the group to continue

> > providing services to the entire county until a plan is developed to

> > restore the Shepherd EMS, which closed its doors late Tuesday.

> > >

> > > Point Blank EMS Board President Jack Langley assured that

> > their volunteers would continue to provide emergency medical services

> > for the county, but would not guarantee 24-hour-a-day,

> > seven-day-a-week service for any area other than Point Blank.

> > >

> > > Langley said also that Point Blank would put an ambulance in

> > Shepherd, but there would be a need for six to eight certified

> > volunteers on call from the Shepherd area in order to provide full

> > emergency services.

> > >

> > > Those volunteers must agree to work under the same Texas

> > Department of Health medical director, as does Point Blank.

> > >

> > > On Tuesday, Shepherd EMS Manager Barbara Clements had told

> > commissioners that she would keep the EMS open as long as possible,

> > but said Wednesday during the board meeting in Point Blank that

> > he had been informed earlier in the day that Shepherd EMS had closed

> > its doors at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

> > >

> > > " What I came here tonight for is to get an idea from the Point

> > Blank Rural EMS about what part you want to play in solving this

> > situation, " said. " We all realize that you are a volunteer group

> > and have created a very good organization. We want you to be a part of

> > developing an EMS plan for the county, but what part you play must be

> > determined by you. "

> > >

> > > said even if the county chooses to seek proposals outside

> > the county for an EMS provider, the commissioners still want Point

> > Blank to be involved.

> > >

> > > " We have extenuating circumstances in San Jacinto County, "

> > said. " We don't have a hospital district, we are extremely rural and

> > we have no large city to help us out. But we still must come up with a

> > plan. Even if we throw everything else out the window, we still have

> > the problem of very limited emergency medical services in the county. "

> > >

> > > Any EMS plan, said, is going to be expensive.

> > >

> > > " I believe the people want it, but we will need financial help

> > and that kind of help must come from the people, " said. " There

> > are lots of theories why the referendum to form an emergency services

> > district failed last year, but if you buy into it this time, if we

> > choose to do it that way again, we will see the support come. It's

> > very hard to get the people to vote for something they can't see the

> > end result of. No one plans on an emergency, until they have one and

> > desperately need an ambulance. "

> > >

> > > Langley said Point Blank would be involved in whatever the

> > county chose to do, but added that, " we are hesitant to get involved

> > countywide. We will not agree, at this time, to say that Point Blank

> > will be a part of a county EMS. If we see that it does work in the

> > future, then we might. It seems to us that the county has a hard time

> > with its own budget, much less with an additional EMS budget. "

> > >

> > > said the county must move fast to hold a referendum to

> > create an ESD.

> > >

> > > " It must be done in time to get any funding for the district on

> > the tax rolls. We have until July 25 to call for the election, and

> > there are certain issues in doing that that must be addressed that

> > will take time. But we do have time if we move fast. Even if we do

> > that, though, it will be October before there is any funding for the

> > new emergency services district. "

> > >

> > > Langley said the Point Blank group would not object to working

> > with any other EMS provider, but added that he didn't believe it would

> > ever agree to become the county's EMS provider.

> > >

> > > But he did suggest that the county " start small with what it can

> > afford. "

> > >

> > > " We will, as we have said, continue to be the EMS provider for

> > the county until you do solve this problem, but we also would like

> > some help from Shepherd and the other communities in covering

> > additional costs that will be involved, especially with fuel costs, "

> > Langley said. " And we also will need enough volunteers in Shepherd and

> > Coldspring to provide full-time emergency coverage. "

> > >

> > > agreed and said he would approach the Shepherd City

> > Council and others to request that each community help Point Blank

> > with the additional costs.

> > >

> > > " Point Blank should not have to dip into its own funds to

> > provide services for Shepherd, or any other part of the county, " he

> > said, adding that he also would prepare a specific written plan the

> > county would use to address the existing situation and how it will

> > correct the situation in the future, then present the plan to the

> > Point Blank board.

> > >

> > > " Hopefully, I will be able to get this plan to you by the end of

> > the week, " said.

> > >

> > > - Byron Hays can be reached at , ext. 3026 or by

> > e-mail at itembrh@y...

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> > ----------

> > > [ Home Page ][ Local News ][ Obituaries ][ Guestbook ][ Classifieds

> > ][ Calendar ][ Business Guide ]

> > > [ About Us ][ Subscribe ][ Letters ][ Health ][ Entertainment ][

> > Town hall ][ World News ][ Stocks/Market ]

> > >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> > ----------

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

One more reason folks to back HB 2446 AS IS!!!!!! Thanks, Jim. I've been around

long enough to know TDH is ahead of the curve on these issues that linger for

years and then come to light. It's always sad to see good folks work hard for

good things, but feel like they lose two steps for every step they take forward.

Many times bad things like this turn into to something good in the long run. I

hope that's the case for Judge , his local citizens and EMS folks. I

appreciate TDH always on at the ready mark to help people that need help. Let's

not forget folks that TDH can't do much if they don't receive the funds they

need. You might remind your Sen. or Rep. of that while they or on their

conference committee in appropriations. NOW IS THE TIME!! Tomorrow may be a day

late and more than a dollar short.

Thanks,

Ron

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

Wayne, Raina, Dave, Ron, et al....

TDH has worked closely and continuously with San Jacinto County

Judge and with Barbara Clements of Shepherd EMS for well over a year

attempting to solve their EMS funding problems. An attempt to establish an

ESD last year failed and that, sadly, was a last hope for Judge . The

county is nearly broke due to other costly issues unrelated to EMS. The

population base is small, the economy is poor, and there is no industry

within the county to provide a large tax base.

A few years ago, Shepherd EMS was found to be in violation of

staffing requirements. As a result, they received a two year probation and

signed an agreed order to ensure that two certified EMS personnel would be

on every response. Subsequently, Shepherd elected, on their own, to

reorganize into a paid service rather than continue as a volunteer

organization. Shortly after their probation was up they voluntarily

upgraded to MICU capable and hired paramedics to staff their units.

Unfortunately, the call volume in the Shepherd area is not sufficient enough

to sustain that level of paid operation and with no other financial

assistance available from the county coffers, they have had to close up

shop.

The TDH regional office has arranged for coverage for the Shepherd

area from neighboring Livingston in Polk County (15 miles) and Cleveland in

Liberty County (12 miles) for the time being. Efforts to assist Judge

, again, in establishing an ESD for San Jac County are continuing and

they will be considered for funding assistance.

As an additional comment, HB 2446, which is currently under

consideration by the Legislature, has a provision which requires that the

advisory council (GETAC) " ...develop a strategic plan for...developing

emergency medical services and trauma care systems. " If this bill passes,

that language will give GETAC the opportunity to bring about a lot of needed

changes, including the implementation of some of the ideas people on this

list have expressed.

...Jim

Jim Arnold, Assistant Chief

Bureau of Emergency Management

Texas Department of Health

Jim.Arnold@...

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jim. I think that those of us that have committed on this topic are glad

to see that our " rants " are not being ignored by the higher ups. This is why I

asked if either you or Kathy would commit on these problems that rural providers

are having.

Again, thanks

Wayne

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

Wayne, Raina, Dave, Ron, et al....

TDH has worked closely and continuously with San Jacinto County

Judge and with Barbara Clements of Shepherd EMS for well over a year

attempting to solve their EMS funding problems. An attempt to establish an

ESD last year failed and that, sadly, was a last hope for Judge . The

county is nearly broke due to other costly issues unrelated to EMS. The

population base is small, the economy is poor, and there is no industry

within the county to provide a large tax base.

A few years ago, Shepherd EMS was found to be in violation of

staffing requirements. As a result, they received a two year probation and

signed an agreed order to ensure that two certified EMS personnel would be

on every response. Subsequently, Shepherd elected, on their own, to

reorganize into a paid service rather than continue as a volunteer

organization. Shortly after their probation was up they voluntarily

upgraded to MICU capable and hired paramedics to staff their units.

Unfortunately, the call volume in the Shepherd area is not sufficient enough

to sustain that level of paid operation and with no other financial

assistance available from the county coffers, they have had to close up

shop.

The TDH regional office has arranged for coverage for the Shepherd

area from neighboring Livingston in Polk County (15 miles) and Cleveland in

Liberty County (12 miles) for the time being. Efforts to assist Judge

, again, in establishing an ESD for San Jac County are continuing and

they will be considered for funding assistance.

As an additional comment, HB 2446, which is currently under

consideration by the Legislature, has a provision which requires that the

advisory council (GETAC) " ...develop a strategic plan for...developing

emergency medical services and trauma care systems. " If this bill passes,

that language will give GETAC the opportunity to bring about a lot of needed

changes, including the implementation of some of the ideas people on this

list have expressed.

...Jim

Jim Arnold, Assistant Chief

Bureau of Emergency Management

Texas Department of Health

Jim.Arnold@...

[Guest guest]

One solution to Point Blank worring about the ESD is to try for two seperate

ESD's one for Point Blank area and one for Shepard area. This way they each

keep their own service but still get the Tax money? just a thought.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the heads-up, Jim. I knew there had to be more to the story than

we'd heard so far.

Dave

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

> Wayne, Raina, Dave, Ron, et al....

> TDH has worked closely and continuously with San Jacinto County

> Judge and with Barbara Clements of Shepherd EMS for well over a year

> attempting to solve their EMS funding problems. An attempt to establish

an

> ESD last year failed and that, sadly, was a last hope for Judge .

The

> county is nearly broke due to other costly issues unrelated to EMS. The

> population base is small, the economy is poor, and there is no industry

> within the county to provide a large tax base.

> A few years ago, Shepherd EMS was found to be in violation of

> staffing requirements. As a result, they received a two year probation

and

> signed an agreed order to ensure that two certified EMS personnel would be

> on every response. Subsequently, Shepherd elected, on their own, to

> reorganize into a paid service rather than continue as a volunteer

> organization. Shortly after their probation was up they voluntarily

> upgraded to MICU capable and hired paramedics to staff their units.

> Unfortunately, the call volume in the Shepherd area is not sufficient

enough

> to sustain that level of paid operation and with no other financial

> assistance available from the county coffers, they have had to close up

> shop.

> The TDH regional office has arranged for coverage for the Shepherd

> area from neighboring Livingston in Polk County (15 miles) and Cleveland

in

> Liberty County (12 miles) for the time being. Efforts to assist Judge

> , again, in establishing an ESD for San Jac County are continuing and

> they will be considered for funding assistance.

> As an additional comment, HB 2446, which is currently under

> consideration by the Legislature, has a provision which requires that the

> advisory council (GETAC) " ...develop a strategic plan for...developing

> emergency medical services and trauma care systems. " If this bill passes,

> that language will give GETAC the opportunity to bring about a lot of

needed

> changes, including the implementation of some of the ideas people on this

> list have expressed.

>

> ...Jim

>

>

> Jim Arnold, Assistant Chief

> Bureau of Emergency Management

> Texas Department of Health

>

> Jim.Arnold@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh so true,,,,,,

Joby Berkley

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Anyone else angry yet? The State in it's infinite wisdom has

> ordered

> > > > a service to comply above what it could afford, without offering

any

> > > > financial way for them to do it. Presidio EMS is on this same

> track.

> > > > At what point does this become a state/federal problem..when all

> rural

> > > > and frontier services are a thing of the past? Just because it

> isn't

> > > > your service doesn't mean it is not your problem. Ron- do you

have

> > > > any addresses for the city council of Shepard or their EMS?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > The Huntsvilles Item: News Column

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Shepherd EMS closes its doors; county down to one EMS

provider

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > By Mike Wheeler/The Huntsville Item

> > > > >

> > > > > POINT BLANK - San Jacinto County Judge Joe met with

> > > > members of the Point Blank Rural Emergency Medical Services board

on

> > > > Wednesday to try and reach an agreement with the group to continue

> > > > providing services to the entire county until a plan is developed

to

> > > > restore the Shepherd EMS, which closed its doors late Tuesday.

> > > > >

> > > > > Point Blank EMS Board President Jack Langley assured

> that

> > > > their volunteers would continue to provide emergency medical

> services

> > > > for the county, but would not guarantee 24-hour-a-day,

> > > > seven-day-a-week service for any area other than Point Blank.

> > > > >

> > > > > Langley said also that Point Blank would put an ambulance in

> > > > Shepherd, but there would be a need for six to eight certified

> > > > volunteers on call from the Shepherd area in order to provide full

> > > > emergency services.

> > > > >

> > > > > Those volunteers must agree to work under the same Texas

> > > > Department of Health medical director, as does Point Blank.

> > > > >

> > > > > On Tuesday, Shepherd EMS Manager Barbara Clements had told

> > > > commissioners that she would keep the EMS open as long as

possible,

> > > > but said Wednesday during the board meeting in Point Blank

> that

> > > > he had been informed earlier in the day that Shepherd EMS had

closed

> > > > its doors at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

> > > > >

> > > > > " What I came here tonight for is to get an idea from the

Point

> > > > Blank Rural EMS about what part you want to play in solving this

> > > > situation, " said. " We all realize that you are a volunteer

> group

> > > > and have created a very good organization. We want you to be a

part

> of

> > > > developing an EMS plan for the county, but what part you play must

> be

> > > > determined by you. "

> > > > >

> > > > > said even if the county chooses to seek proposals

> outside

> > > > the county for an EMS provider, the commissioners still want Point

> > > > Blank to be involved.

> > > > >

> > > > > " We have extenuating circumstances in San Jacinto County, "

>

> > > > said. " We don't have a hospital district, we are extremely rural

and

> > > > we have no large city to help us out. But we still must come up

with

> a

> > > > plan. Even if we throw everything else out the window, we still

have

> > > > the problem of very limited emergency medical services in the

> county. "

> > > > >

> > > > > Any EMS plan, said, is going to be expensive.

> > > > >

> > > > > " I believe the people want it, but we will need financial

help

> > > > and that kind of help must come from the people, " said.

" There

> > > > are lots of theories why the referendum to form an emergency

> services

> > > > district failed last year, but if you buy into it this time, if we

> > > > choose to do it that way again, we will see the support come. It's

> > > > very hard to get the people to vote for something they can't see

the

> > > > end result of. No one plans on an emergency, until they have one

and

> > > > desperately need an ambulance. "

> > > > >

> > > > > Langley said Point Blank would be involved in whatever the

> > > > county chose to do, but added that, " we are hesitant to get

involved

> > > > countywide. We will not agree, at this time, to say that Point

Blank

> > > > will be a part of a county EMS. If we see that it does work in the

> > > > future, then we might. It seems to us that the county has a hard

> time

> > > > with its own budget, much less with an additional EMS budget. "

> > > > >

> > > > > said the county must move fast to hold a referendum to

> > > > create an ESD.

> > > > >

> > > > > " It must be done in time to get any funding for the district

> on

> > > > the tax rolls. We have until July 25 to call for the election, and

> > > > there are certain issues in doing that that must be addressed that

> > > > will take time. But we do have time if we move fast. Even if we do

> > > > that, though, it will be October before there is any funding for

the

> > > > new emergency services district. "

> > > > >

> > > > > Langley said the Point Blank group would not object to

working

> > > > with any other EMS provider, but added that he didn't believe it

> would

> > > > ever agree to become the county's EMS provider.

> > > > >

> > > > > But he did suggest that the county " start small with what it

> can

> > > > afford. "

> > > > >

> > > > > " We will, as we have said, continue to be the EMS provider

for

> > > > the county until you do solve this problem, but we also would like

> > > > some help from Shepherd and the other communities in covering

> > > > additional costs that will be involved, especially with fuel

costs, "

> > > > Langley said. " And we also will need enough volunteers in Shepherd

> and

> > > > Coldspring to provide full-time emergency coverage. "

> > > > >

> > > > > agreed and said he would approach the Shepherd City

> > > > Council and others to request that each community help Point Blank

> > > > with the additional costs.

> > > > >

> > > > > " Point Blank should not have to dip into its own funds to

> > > > provide services for Shepherd, or any other part of the county, "

he

> > > > said, adding that he also would prepare a specific written plan

the

> > > > county would use to address the existing situation and how it will

> > > > correct the situation in the future, then present the plan to the

> > > > Point Blank board.

> > > > >

> > > > > " Hopefully, I will be able to get this plan to you by the

end

> of

> > > > the week, " said.

> > > > >

> > > > > - Byron Hays can be reached at , ext. 3026 or

by

> > > > e-mail at itembrh@y...

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > >

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > > ----------

> > > > > [ Home Page ][ Local News ][ Obituaries ][ Guestbook ][

> Classifieds

> > > > ][ Calendar ][ Business Guide ]

> > > > > [ About Us ][ Subscribe ][ Letters ][ Health ][ Entertainment ][

> > > > Town hall ][ World News ][ Stocks/Market ]

> > > > >

> > >

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > > ----------

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Joby,

About 5-6 years ago I did take a vol ambulance to paid staff during the day with

a combination of county money and money collected from billing. We were able to

put and EMT/EMTP on the ambulance M-F 5A-5P. We found that the money we were

losing from the county for mutual aid responses would pay a large portion of the

salaries and billing would pay the rest. As far as I know the system is still

operating with the paid ambulance staff during the day and vol. at night.

Bernie Stafford

Former Assistant Chief of EMS

>>> joby@... 4/26/01 3:27:25 PM >>>

Ok Dave,

I get what you are saying except for one thing. I have a problem with the

TDH coming in and telling a Vol. EMS organization it needs to hire FT

people. Does anyone remember what the exact reason for this mandate was????

From what I understand about the rules, I was under the impression that TDH

could only mandate what staffing configuration you must have by the level

of the license. BLS units are only required to have an ECA / EMT

configuration and an MICU level unit has to have a EMT-P / EMT

configuration. Also, you only have to have two certified individuals to

transport the patient, not to respond to the patient!!! I do not know where

the state can mandate a service hire individuals, especially if they have no

funds and have no way of gaining funds. Some vol. services do not even bill

the patient nor their insurance. If these type of services are strictly

funded by the County Commissioners Court and receive a portion of funds by

the county fire district, which if memory serves me correctly was in the

ball park of $25,000.00 per year, how can any service hire for that amount.

I have had the privilege of running a high performance system in the

Metroplex and I can tell you first hand that no one can hire highly skilled

employees for that. I have some ideas that could place a few of these

individuals in the county but it would take a bit more than $25 thousand a

year.

Joby Berkley

Re: Shepherd EMS Closes

> >

> >

> > Anyone else angry yet? The State in it's infinite wisdom has ordered

> > a service to comply above what it could afford, without offering any

> > financial way for them to do it. Presidio EMS is on this same track.

> > At what point does this become a state/federal problem..when all rural

> > and frontier services are a thing of the past? Just because it isn't

> > your service doesn't mean it is not your problem. Ron- do you have

> > any addresses for the city council of Shepard or their EMS?

> >

> >

> > > The Huntsvilles Item: News Column

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Shepherd EMS closes its doors; county down to one EMS provider

> > >

> > >

> > > By Mike Wheeler/The Huntsville Item

> > >

> > > POINT BLANK - San Jacinto County Judge Joe met with

> > members of the Point Blank Rural Emergency Medical Services board on

> > Wednesday to try and reach an agreement with the group to continue

> > providing services to the entire county until a plan is developed to

> > restore the Shepherd EMS, which closed its doors late Tuesday.

> > >

> > > Point Blank EMS Board President Jack Langley assured that

> > their volunteers would continue to provide emergency medical services

> > for the county, but would not guarantee 24-hour-a-day,

> > seven-day-a-week service for any area other than Point Blank.

> > >

> > > Langley said also that Point Blank would put an ambulance in

> > Shepherd, but there would be a need for six to eight certified

> > volunteers on call from the Shepherd area in order to provide full

> > emergency services.

> > >

> > > Those volunteers must agree to work under the same Texas

> > Department of Health medical director, as does Point Blank.

> > >

> > > On Tuesday, Shepherd EMS Manager Barbara Clements had told

> > commissioners that she would keep the EMS open as long as possible,

> > but said Wednesday during the board meeting in Point Blank that

> > he had been informed earlier in the day that Shepherd EMS had closed

> > its doors at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

> > >

> > > " What I came here tonight for is to get an idea from the Point

> > Blank Rural EMS about what part you want to play in solving this

> > situation, " said. " We all realize that you are a volunteer group

> > and have created a very good organization. We want you to be a part of

> > developing an EMS plan for the county, but what part you play must be

> > determined by you. "

> > >

> > > said even if the county chooses to seek proposals outside

> > the county for an EMS provider, the commissioners still want Point

> > Blank to be involved.

> > >

> > > " We have extenuating circumstances in San Jacinto County, "

> > said. " We don't have a hospital district, we are extremely rural and

> > we have no large city to help us out. But we still must come up with a

> > plan. Even if we throw everything else out the window, we still have

> > the problem of very limited emergency medical services in the county. "

> > >

> > > Any EMS plan, said, is going to be expensive.

> > >

> > > " I believe the people want it, but we will need financial help

> > and that kind of help must come from the people, " said. " There

> > are lots of theories why the referendum to form an emergency services

> > district failed last year, but if you buy into it this time, if we

> > choose to do it that way again, we will see the support come. It's

> > very hard to get the people to vote for something they can't see the

> > end result of. No one plans on an emergency, until they have one and

> > desperately need an ambulance. "

> > >

> > > Langley said Point Blank would be involved in whatever the

> > county chose to do, but added that, " we are hesitant to get involved

> > countywide. We will not agree, at this time, to say that Point Blank

> > will be a part of a county EMS. If we see that it does work in the

> > future, then we might. It seems to us that the county has a hard time

> > with its own budget, much less with an additional EMS budget. "

> > >

> > > said the county must move fast to hold a referendum to

> > create an ESD.

> > >

> > > " It must be done in time to get any funding for the district on

> > the tax rolls. We have until July 25 to call for the election, and

> > there are certain issues in doing that that must be addressed that

> > will take time. But we do have time if we move fast. Even if we do

> > that, though, it will be October before there is any funding for the

> > new emergency services district. "

> > >

> > > Langley said the Point Blank group would not object to working

> > with any other EMS provider, but added that he didn't believe it would

> > ever agree to become the county's EMS provider.

> > >

> > > But he did suggest that the county " start small with what it can

> > afford. "

> > >

> > > " We will, as we have said, continue to be the EMS provider for

> > the county until you do solve this problem, but we also would like

> > some help from Shepherd and the other communities in covering

> > additional costs that will be involved, especially with fuel costs, "

> > Langley said. " And we also will need enough volunteers in Shepherd and

> > Coldspring to provide full-time emergency coverage. "

> > >

> > > agreed and said he would approach the Shepherd City

> > Council and others to request that each community help Point Blank

> > with the additional costs.

> > >

> > > " Point Blank should not have to dip into its own funds to

> > provide services for Shepherd, or any other part of the county, " he

> > said, adding that he also would prepare a specific written plan the

> > county would use to address the existing situation and how it will

> > correct the situation in the future, then present the plan to the

> > Point Blank board.

> > >

> > > " Hopefully, I will be able to get this plan to you by the end of

> > the week, " said.

> > >

> > > - Byron Hays can be reached at , ext. 3026 or by

> > e-mail at itembrh@y...

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> > ----------

> > > [ Home Page ][ Local News ][ Obituaries ][ Guestbook ][ Classifieds

> > ][ Calendar ][ Business Guide ]

> > > [ About Us ][ Subscribe ][ Letters ][ Health ][ Entertainment ][

> > Town hall ][ World News ][ Stocks/Market ]

> > >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> > ----------

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >