Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 It sounds like politics to me... Comments anyone? -Wes New buildings would cut response times and save money, officials say By Isadora Vail AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Thursday, February 07, 2008 ROUND ROCK — Even though Round Rock's emergency services and fire department meet national standards for response times, city leaders still want to reduce those times as the population continues to grow. Officials said they hope that building separate EMS stations in town will cut response times by a few minutes. For medical calls in Round Rock, the average response time is about six and a half minutes, and fire calls take about eight minutes. Shaving a few minutes off those times may not sound like much, said Sneed, on County Emergency Medical Services director, but it could mean life or death for someone who needs help. Paramedics now share facilities at Round Rock Fire Department stations, and on County commissioners are looking at the possibility of paying for separate EMS stations. Since the county funds and operates EMS, commissioners would have to approve the expansion. on would cover the cost. Sneed said that most paramedics around the county share buildings with fire departments, a common cost-saving practice in rural areas. More fire and EMS stations will be necessary to meet the needs of the growing population across the county, and Round Rock is the first on city to discuss breaking off EMS stations from fire departments. Sneed said they have been planning to add EMS stations in other parts of the county in addition to Round Rock. He said they chose to help Round Rock because it is the largest city in the county, and city leaders asked for help building more stations. The buildings would be a one-time cost because the county pays for existing vehicles, equipment and employees, Sneed said. There's no plan for how many EMS stations would split from Round Rock's seven fire stations. The city has identified three stations that it would like to separate from EMS within 10 years: those on Rawhide Drive, Gattis School Road and Deep Wood Drive. Most emergency callers are in need of medical attention, Round Rock City Manager Jim Nuse said, and having more stations would help save lives because EMS and fire workers would respond to calls from different spots. " If we strategically place the EMS units in a location away from and symmetrically away from the fire stations, we can increase our response times dramatically, " Nuse said. " We are trying to come up with an overall coordinated plan and to make this happen. " Round Rock Fire Chief Larry Hodge said that separate EMS facilities would improve the coverage for the area. " We don't know the total cost right now, but we do know that it would be cheaper than if the city built their own " EMS stations, Hodge said. The city has held several forums in which the new buildings were discussed, and Hodge said every Round Rock resident who attended was in favor of the idea, even if it meant paying a little more in taxes. Sneed, Nuse and Hodge presented a plan to county commissioners this year. Commissioners asked them to map where some of the new buildings would go and give the exact cost. They are working on the update and plan to present it to the court in a few weeks. ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 In a message dated 2/7/2008 10:26:53 A.M. Central Standard Time, ben6308@... writes: I got to admit, they do have a point that if both the first due engine and medic unit are in quarters and rolling out of the same station (since the individual fire departments roll out on pretty much all medicals to assist EMS which is county-run) kind of defeats the purpose of the whole " first responder " system. There's another concern that I have. Ambulance and Engine roll to same call from same house, they go the same way as they go the fastest shortest route, makes sense but then you inevitably have an Ambulance following an Engine or vice versa. I've seen stats that say intersection incidents where the second emergency vehicle gets nailed or does the nailing are not all that uncommon, it's one of the reasons why the whole idea of " escorts " is a bad thing. Maybe Dudley has some stats on that as I know he's done a good deal of research on this whole ambulance accident thing? I know from shear observation that its not uncommon for that second piece to be " drafting " the first on and if the first was to stop short well wed be chatting about that on the List next. Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS) Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant LNMolino@... (Cell Phone) (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the original author. **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 5 48) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 In a message dated 2/7/2008 8:58:33 A.M. Central Standard Time, ExLngHrn@... writes: It sounds like politics to me... Comments anyone? Politics in EMS that be a first. NOT Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS) Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant LNMolino@... (Cell Phone) (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the original author. **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 5 48) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 This isn't the first time I've heard of this plan, I just can't remember who or where I heard it from before. I got to admit, they do have a point that if both the first due engine and medic unit are in quarters and rolling out of the same station (since the individual fire departments roll out on pretty much all medicals to assist EMS which is county-run) kind of defeats the purpose of the whole " first responder " system. On the other hand, I'm curious as to how much response time would actually get shaved off?? Round Rock sure is more and more like Austin when it comes to traffic! Wes Ogilvie wrote: > > It sounds like politics to me... Comments anyone? > > -Wes > > New buildings would cut response times and save money, officials say > > By Isadora Vail > AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF > Thursday, February 07, 2008 > > ROUND ROCK — Even though Round Rock's emergency services and fire > department meet national standards for response times, city leaders > still want to reduce those times as the population continues to grow. > > Officials said they hope that building separate EMS stations in town > will cut response times by a few minutes. For medical calls in Round > Rock, the average response time is about six and a half minutes, and > fire calls take about eight minutes. Shaving a few minutes off those > times may not sound like much, said Sneed, on County > Emergency Medical Services director, but it could mean life or death > for someone who needs help. > > Paramedics now share facilities at Round Rock Fire Department > stations, and on County commissioners are looking at the > possibility of paying for separate EMS stations. Since the county > funds and operates EMS, commissioners would have to approve the > expansion. on would cover the cost. > > Sneed said that most paramedics around the county share buildings with > fire departments, a common cost-saving practice in rural areas. > > More fire and EMS stations will be necessary to meet the needs of the > growing population across the county, and Round Rock is the first > on city to discuss breaking off EMS stations from fire > departments. > > Sneed said they have been planning to add EMS stations in other parts > of the county in addition to Round Rock. He said they chose to help > Round Rock because it is the largest city in the county, and city > leaders asked for help building more stations. > > The buildings would be a one-time cost because the county pays for > existing vehicles, equipment and employees, Sneed said. > > There's no plan for how many EMS stations would split from Round > Rock's seven fire stations. The city has identified three stations > that it would like to separate from EMS within 10 years: those on > Rawhide Drive, Gattis School Road and Deep Wood Drive. > > Most emergency callers are in need of medical attention, Round Rock > City Manager Jim Nuse said, and having more stations would help save > lives because EMS and fire workers would respond to calls from > different spots. > > " If we strategically place the EMS units in a location away from and > symmetrically away from the fire stations, we can increase our > response times dramatically, " Nuse said. " We are trying to come up > with an overall coordinated plan and to make this happen. " > > Round Rock Fire Chief Larry Hodge said that separate EMS facilities > would improve the coverage for the area. > > " We don't know the total cost right now, but we do know that it would > be cheaper than if the city built their own " EMS stations, Hodge said. > > The city has held several forums in which the new buildings were > discussed, and Hodge said every Round Rock resident who attended was > in favor of the idea, even if it meant paying a little more in taxes. > > Sneed, Nuse and Hodge presented a plan to county commissioners this > year. Commissioners asked them to map where some of the new buildings > would go and give the exact cost. They are working on the update and > plan to present it to the court in a few weeks. > > __________________________________________________________ > More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - > http://webmail.aol.com <http://webmail.aol.com> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 It happened not long ago in Baltimore. Several engines were " drafting " and a car pulled between them and the engine nailed them. Killed several. I always had a rule that I kept at least a block between myself and other units and also tried to use a different siren sound. GG > > > In a message dated 2/7/2008 10:26:53 A.M. Central Standard Time, > ben6308@... writes: > > I got to admit, they do have a point that if both the first due engine and > medic unit are in quarters and rolling out of the same station (since the > individual fire departments roll out on pretty much all medicals to assist > EMS > which is county-run) kind of defeats the purpose of the whole " first > responder " > system. > > There's another concern that I have. > > Ambulance and Engine roll to same call from same house, they go the same way > as they go the fastest shortest route, makes sense but then you inevitably > have an Ambulance following an Engine or vice versa. > > I've seen stats that say intersection incidents where the second emergency > vehicle gets nailed or does the nailing are not all that uncommon, it's one > of > the reasons why the whole idea of " escorts " is a bad thing. > > Maybe Dudley has some stats on that as I know he's done a good deal of > research on this whole ambulance accident thing? > > I know from shear observation that its not uncommon for that second piece to > be " drafting " the first on and if the first was to stop short well wed be > chatting about that on the List next. > > Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET > FF/NREMT-B/FSI/ FF/ > Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS) > Freelance Consultant/Trainer/ Freelance Cons Freelance Consultant/Traine > > LNMolino@... > > (Cell Phone) > (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) > (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) > > The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the > author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or > organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with > unless I > specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only > for its > stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials > retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by > the > original author. > > ************ ************<wbr>**Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time > (http://music.http://music.<wbhttp://muhttp://mushttp://muhttp://music.< > wbhttp:// > 48) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 In a message dated 2/7/2008 7:37:53 P.M. Central Standard Time, wegandy1938@... writes: I always had a rule that I kept at least a block between myself and other units and also tried to use a different siren sound. That and for God's sake if the light is RED BOTH come to a STOP, a novel concept for sure but one that does seem to merit Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS) Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant LNMolino@... (Cell Phone) (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the original author. **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 5 48) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Yes. That's right. I have always stopped, and never proceeded without being clear in all directions. Let's face it. The time saved by running through a red light or stop sign is only a few seconds. There is no evidence that shaving 30 seconds off a call makes any difference. The adrenalin surge is probably the worst thing we have to deal with. We're all adrenalin junkies here. But we must recognize that our endogenous adrenalin does not form an impenetrable shield between us and oncoming traffic. Neither does our siren and twinklies. GG > > > > In a message dated 2/7/2008 7:37:53 P.M. Central Standard Time, > wegandy1938@wegandy writes: > > I always had a rule that I kept at least a block between myself and other > units and also tried to use a different siren sound. > > That and for God's sake if the light is RED BOTH come to a STOP, a novel > concept for sure but one that does seem to merit > > Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET > FF/NREMT-B/FSI/ FF/ > Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS) > Freelance Consultant/Trainer/ Freelance Cons Freelance Consultant/Traine > > LNMolino@... > > (Cell Phone) > (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) > (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) > > The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the > author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or > organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with > unless I > specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only > for its > stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials > retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by > the > original author. > > ************ ************<wbr>**Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time > (http://music.http://music.<wbhttp://muhttp://mushttp://muhttp://music.< > wbhttp:// > 48) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 In a message dated 2/8/2008 2:49:36 A.M. Central Standard Time, wegandy1938@... writes: There is no evidence that shaving 30 seconds off a call makes any difference. The cynic in me would ask where in EMS is any evidence? But I'm not that kind of a cynic (evil grin in place). Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS) Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant LNMolino@... (Cell Phone) (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the original author. **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 5 48) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 In a message dated 2/8/2008 2:49:36 A.M. Central Standard Time, wegandy1938@... writes: The adrenalin surge is probably the worst thing we have to deal with. We're all adrenalin junkies here. But we must recognize that our endogenous adrenalin does not form an impenetrable shield between us and oncoming traffic. Neither does our siren and twinklies. I've heard anecdotal reports of Cops shooting at cars in their pursuits (though the windshields) wonder how those Trainers deal with that? Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS) Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant LNMolino@... (Cell Phone) (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the original author. **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 5 48) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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