Wisconsin Volly Politics FAIL

[Dustdevil]

What a horribly unfortunate name for a volly!

http://www.wiscnews.com/spe/news/453578

EMT upset over theft probe

By Jeremiah Tucker, Sauk Prairie Eagle

A Sauk Prairie Ambulance Association member claims he was falsely accused of stealing from the ambulance service where he has volunteered for more than 20 years.

During the Sauk Prairie Ambulance Service Commission meeting May 28, Emergency Medical Technician Don

Wankerl

stood and pointed at the ambulance service’s director, Jason Demerath.

"I was basically accused of theft by my illustrious — by Mr. Demerath over there," said Wankerl, who was visibly angry.

During the meeting Wankerl said Demerath informed the Sauk Prairie Police Department that he’d taken two intravaneous bags and two hot packs.

Demerath works as a part-time police officer for the Sauk Prairie Police Department in addition to his full-time job as director of the ambulance service.

Wankerl said if Demerath had called him instead of the police, he could’ve explained why he had the bags.

Wankerl said he owned the hot packs and the service’s training officer gave him permission to take the I.V. bags home to practice in preparation for his upcoming I.V. technician tests.

"I think Mr. Demerath has to get rid of the police officer attitude and start giving 110 percent to this service," Wankerl told the commission, a group of local officials that oversee the ambulance service. "My issue was handled just like a police officer —just like a police officer."

Dean Darling, the ambulance service’s training officer, said members regularly take equipment home for training, so it isn’t unusual for members of the association to be in possession of the service’s equipment. The service’s I.V. technicians need to periodically start an I.V. — deliver fluids to someone through a vein — to maintain their accreditation.

He said he gave Wankerl permission to take the I.V. bags, which cost around $2.70.

"(The police) never contacted me, Jason never contacted me before he got the police involved," Darling said. "It’s a big mess and it looks bad for everybody."

Probe initiated

Sauk Prairie Police Department Det. Roland Froese said from the information he has seen, he thinks Demerath handled the situation correctly.

"Don Wankerl is currently, I believe, involved with a Robin Ballweg," Froese said. "Jason Demerath received information from Robin’s mother, Susan Ballweg, regarding inappropriate conduct. Jason turned that over to our department for investigation."

Froese said it was too early to tell if charges will be filed against Wankerl will, but he is being ivestigated for possible theft and "inappropriate use" of the equipment.

Wankerl said that for a short time about a month and a half ago he was away from his girlfriend’s house.

He said he left behind an I.V. pack that he had as part of an emergency-response kit issued to him by the ambulance service.

The I.V. bag in the pack was empty because it had broken months before, he said, and he’d forgotten about it after the service issued him a replacement bag in the spring.

He said his girlfriend’s mom turned the I.V. pack in to Demerath — possibly, Wankerl said, because she was mad at him at the time.

Susan Ballweg said she did go to Demerath with the I.V. pack. She was unclear on whether she told Demerath about the additional I.V. bags and hot packs, but said she later recanted her statement to Froese.

"It was my misunderstanding," Susan Ballweg said. "I did not know it was common practice for EMTs to practice I.V.s and setting them. I did not know, in all honesty, that it is a common practice to keep up on their skills. It’s my misunderstanding completely."

No other equipment missing

Wankerl said he isn’t sure how Susan turning in the I.V. kit led to accusations from the police department of him taking additional I.V. bags.

Demerath, who would not specifically discuss Wankerl’s case because he said he can’t legally discuss personnel issues, said that if someone outside of the service came to him with information that an EMT had stolen the service’s medical equipment it would be on a "case-by-case basis" whether he would investigate it internally before turning it over to the police.

Demerath said he is not aware of any equipment currently missing from the ambulance service.

He said the policy of the service is that members are not allowed to take I.V. bags home for practice. Demerath said he recently had to clarify this policy to the service’s staff.

Wankerl said he believes Demerath informed the police instead of asking him why he had the I.V. bags because Demerath doesn’t like him.

Wankerl said no one has told him he is suspended from the service and to his knowledge he remains a member.

During the meeting last week he told the commission members, "If this is the thanks I get for volunteering 20-plus years to this service I’m not sure I can go on volunteering for this service anymore."

Lesson #1: Never allow wannabe cops into your EMS organisation. No good can come from this.

There are two videos of the meeting where all this took place that gives insight into what a joke this organisation is. Then, below the article, is a whole string of links to other recent stories about this service that really paint a dismal picture.

Edited June 4, 2009 by Dustdevil

[FireMedic65]

you need an IV bag to practice skills? "OMG HOW DO I SPIKE THE BAG?!!??"

idiots... another reason for vollies fail.

[WolfmanHarris]

you need an IV bag to practice skills? "OMG HOW DO I SPIKE THE BAG?!!??"

idiots... another reason for vollies fail.

Might be a reporter error here. I've taken some expired IV bag and drip sets to practice setting rates, clearing lines and the like. If anything, some commitment to maintaining competency is a plus, or at least less negative.

[FireMedic65]

Might be a reporter error here. I've taken some expired IV bag and drip sets to practice setting rates, clearing lines and the like. If anything, some commitment to maintaining competency is a plus, or at least less negative.

YOU THIEF!!!!!! No I am just kidding.

I should have been more specific, I was being sarcastic in the sense of taking the IV bag home. It's always good to practice doing these things.

It's the bad press I was referring to about them being idiots. Come on.. really? I hot pack? I will give them the $2 to replace them. People need to stop whining so much. Over 20years this guy planned the great hot pack heist! He almost got away with it too!

[Chief1C]

Wait a minute.. They were investigating him for having about $7.00 worth of equipment? That has to be the most asinine, petty bullshit I've ever read.. Their police must be really bored. The family members should leave their issues at home, and not bring them into the station. Also.. Always keep receipts for equipment you furnish to yourself, that way nobody can ever accuse you of stealing it.

Edited June 4, 2009 by 4c6