Solution to NJ EMS problem?

[Medic2891]

ok, so it is my idea for a solution to the problem with EMS in the state. I just wanted to post it here since it is loosely being discussed in another thread and I thought that some of you could offer some other or even better ideas then mine.

I think that the state needs to strip the First Aid Council of it's power that it has as an entity. NJ as a state needs to recognize EMS as an essential function, and ALS needs to be provided at the county or in some instances the municipality level.

First of all, the first aid council in NJ has WAY too much power. They oversee all volunteer first aid squads in the state. They set the regulations and requirements for operating as such. These regulations, the last I checked, didn't even require someone on the ambulance to be an EMT. This needs to stop TODAY! Sure there will be a lot of squads out there that are not able to respond anymore, but I want someone on the truck with me that has had some semblance of "professional" training. These squads with no EMT on the truck does not allow me as a medic to release to BLS because there is no BLS and I am stuck treating a patient that does not need the higher level of care. This is preventing me from getting out and treating the patient that does need me.

Secondly, NJ needs to create the Office of EMS on the State level. Remove it from being under the dept. of health and senior services. The way it is currently set up, caused it to be CLOSED last summer when the state offices shut down because of the mandate from the governor when they were hashing out the budget. How can you shut down such an IMPORTANT office? "Borrow" the money from the training fund and create the office. The money that you "borrow" will be replaced wuick enough because it is replenished from the vehicle registrations in NJ. It won't take long for the money to return to it's current level.

Thirdly, I think that the current certificate of need process is out dated and needs to be eliminated. Currently where I live, there are 3 large municipalities performing BLS care for the citizens of their respective towns, and they could all very easily support their own ALS capable units. There are however many other municipalities in the state that do not have that ability and for those I recommend that there be a county based system set up with exceptions for those municipalities that want to provide the service themselves and can handle the expense of doing such. If you have a county based ALS response system then you can almost always be sure that you have enough units for your population size in your county. Plus for those areas that have municipalities providing ALS care, then the county itself would need less units, potentially saving the county money. I would also keep the current response system in place where it is a 2 tiered system. That way, there are no changes really at all on the volunteer level or even the BLS level for most of the towns in the rest of the state. This I think would cause the least impact to the services being provided. I even think that this would actually increase service quality while decreasing response times.

Well, I think that covers the basics to what my thoughts are on this subject. Let me know what you think and also if you have other ideas on where this plan could be improved, let me know. I am curious to see what kind of responses I get to this post.

[rick5856]

I would be worried about EMS in NJ too if i was in your shoes.

[MeekoBB]

First....NJFAC is for Volunteer agencies and is more of a 'membership'. It is not mandatory to follow their guidelines. The city I volunteer for only became a member is the past few months. We had not been a member of their organization for about 10 years. They offer support services for volunteer agencies. They do require at least ONE EMT (in the back of the rig) as a minimum. They still are not permitted or advised to pull a rig without an emt. There are some cases where the squad has arrangements with their ALS responders that as long as they can get a driver to pull the truck, they will transport with ALS in the back. Municiple and commercial services operate under STATE guidelines.

Second...There is a state office for ems in NJ....WEBSITE

[Medic2891]

Second...There is a state office for ems in NJ....WEBSITE

As I have been in EMS for 14 years in NJ, I am WELL aware of that office and it's web site, however it is UNDER the Dept. of Health and Human Services and NOT considered an essential function. The office needs to be all by itself not under another dept. as it currently sits.

[Eng542ine]

Ok... How about a simple and reasonable start-point... LET'S FUND AND STAFF THE OFFICE WE HAVE NOW! There needs to be a structure in place before they are "spun-off" DHSS... Once their staffing is up,

LICENSE AND REGULATE ALL BLS!!! Volunteer... Career... Private... Hospital... whatever... the job is the same... THE STANDARD SHOULD BE THE SAME!! None of this double-standard volunteer-coddling crap.

Before somebody mouths off and accuses me of hating volunteers... I AM a volunteer and have been for 10 years. NOTE: The organization I volunteer with is not/has never been/nor will ever be associated or affiliated with the New Jersey State First Grade Council...

[scratrat]

Nice job dude.

Another question out of morbid curiosity.....was UMDNJ still allowed to function? They are state government employees. Were they allowed to continue working EMS? I can't remember.

All I remember is the casinos being REALLY REALLY pissed off about the millions they lost. I'm guessing he won't be reelected. LOL.

Another solution, get out while the gettin's good.....not that I advocate going to warmer climate or anything. Oh, and by the way, it's been in the 80's. You should follow your parents' footsteps Jeff. County ALS is the way to go!! 25 years and I'm out with the same pension the cops get!!!!

[Eng542ine]

After we regulate ALL BLS... let's get Medics and Paid EMTs into the training fund. I love how the state only cares that you are a volunteer to provide free training... they don't care if you actually DO anything...

The money would be better spent on people that we KNOW are doing this for their career... You would get a better return on your money than by training the hobbyist the might make a job or 2 a week... if not less...

[blueangelfightr]

After we regulate ALL BLS... let's get Medics and Paid EMTs into the training fund. I love how the state only cares that you are a volunteer to provide free training... they don't care if you actually DO anything...

The money would be better spent on people that we KNOW are doing this for their career... You would get a better return on your money than by training the hobbyist the might make a job or 2 a week... if not less...

I think that's because the state feels that we are volunteering and should not have to pay $500 for an EMT class on top of giving up our time for free. I'm a volunteer EMT and I take about 20-25 calls a month, so I don't think that money was wasted. With your logic we should pay for doctors and nurses to go to school too, I mean after all they're going to do this for their career. You have to spend money to make money. I think that volunteers are even sometimes more dedicated then the paid people because when you go paid you think of it more as a job, not treating real people with real care and compassion. But that of course doesn't apply to everyone. I don't really have complaints about EMS in NJ, but we have quite a few rigs and 5 ALS providers within 10 miles of us, so we can pretty much get things done.

[Dustdevil]

With your logic we should pay for doctors and nurses to go to school too, I mean after all they're going to do this for their career.

Already being done in communities where there is a need, same as with EMTs and medics. It is sound logic, even if it does disrupt your hobby.

I don't really have complaints about EMS in NJ...

Wow, that's pretty scary right there. :?

[Medic2588]

Scrat,

UMDNJ stayed open during the shut down as it was considered an Essential Service (as the State Police didn't shut down). Parts of OEMS remained in service during the shut down. The entire department was not shut down. However, as much of what OEMS does is reviewing complaints and regulations, would EMS as we know it grind to a halt if they closed up shop for a few days? No, which is why they many of the staff were off during that period.

Medic2891,

As for the First Aid council, it wields power only in few places in New Jersey. Bergen County is one, some south Jersey areas as well. However, the vast majority of NJ squads have signed out of the FAC or stay only as a means of getting an invitation to their annual party. They do have some influence only because they know how to whine. However, with the right pressure you can get them to acquiesse (any Garden Staters remember the turmoil with the creation of the EMS Task Force?). And trust me, working loosely with the DHSS I can say you'll NEVER see OEMS become separate in your lifetime. The way to solve that problem is to get quality people in there and have the state actually fund it properly. You have some really good people working there now, but why would you work hard or stay if you're getting paid S**T?

For all the bashing NJ gets, I honestly think it works ok. Could it be better? Sure, but I'm positive every state has their particular problems. My advice to help you avoid an early ulcer is to not expect much from anyone. Don't expect to have quality BLS and you won't be disappointed, only pleasantly surprised when they turn out to be competent. And don't expect quality ALS partners either, that educational process seems to be tanking in several programs (many non-Jersey programs).

Devin