ET3 - The Future is NOW Continuedthen a private ambulance is summoned. This is where theprivate ambulances make the bulk of their money and why, attimes, they are unavailable for our calls.This evolution of care is our next challenge or opportunity.It’s also the “low fruit” on our tree of opportunity; operatingour own BLS transport program. We had these in the past –we all remember the squads. Most recently, they were established to keep uniformed members employed when the market crashed. They were initially in service 24/7 but eventuallyphased out. Vacancies from new service and retirements absorbed these overages.Back then, we operated this BLS program pursuant to anMOU related to two-person BLS transport units. It needs tobe updated.These are great opportunities to improve the quality of service we provide, to collaborate on the future of EMS with ourcommunity partners, to generate additional revenues andperhaps most importantly – for MDFR to breathe life back intoit’s innovative past and lead once again.What is now known as the ET3 program was brought tolight close to three decades ago by Local 1403’s Gary Raineyin his article “Fire Department Evolution.” At the time therewas much written about “public-private partnerships.” Thiswas basically working cooperatively with private ambulancecompanies for our BLS transports. Gary wrote “Primary careand expanded scope of practice can also lead us to new horizons where Paramedics and EMT’s will be delivering healthcare far beyond emergency situations we are accustomedto. Inter-hospital transfers, primary health care delivery,non-emergency responses and treatments, neighborhood immunizations.”“Although capturing transport service is important, we mustnot limit our goals or focus only on that issue. The positive impact these types of services will have on the public will make“rescue” as we now know it pale by comparison. There will bemuch more contact with the public and in far greater numbersthan we currently encounter in emergency situations. Thepublic will see whoever provides this service (private or fire)in a broader, more favorable light. Primary care providerswho expand their scope of practice will include emergencyresponses as a small part of their overall service. We cannotafford to miss this train.”“These new services cannot just be ‘heaped’ upon current23suppressions and medical rescue services. As we all knowtoo well, we are operating above capacity, now. However,as these new non-emergency and rapid response units comeonline, it will have a positive impact in the reduction of themany non-emergency calls we are currently responding to.The patient can be taken care of at their home, or transported to a clinic or doctor’s office, saving both time and moneywhich will be the bottom in line in the new reformed healthcare system.”“This is an incredible opportunity for the Fire and Emergency Services to evolve into an integral part of the overall careplan for Florida…. In the early 70s, the fire department andthe Union took on the issue of determining who would deliverEMS in Dade County. Randle Eastern (now AMR) Police andFire were the contenders. Due to the foresight of our Unionand Management then, we now enjoy good pay and benefits.The citizens receive emergency care that is unmatched in theWorld.”The public-private partnership will take on a new meaningas we work with many private health care plans to offer thisservice to their participants. The private ambulances alreadyhave contracts for many SIMHPs. With the average primaryphysician to patient ratio being 1,243:1, the patient being taken to their doctor’s office will be replaced by us bringing thedoctor to them. This will be achieved with the officer’s glowing finger on the tablet.While this issue was brought to light nearly three decadesago, the time to bring “Metro” back to Miami-Dade is now.Palm 24052 Jim Gillis BC Press.indd 1October 2022 | JUMPLINE Magazine12/7/15 9:25 AM
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