County nixes medical dispatch program for 2005 years ago
Staff reporter
Michele Abbott-Becker, Marion County director of communications and emergency management, presented 2005 budget proposals Monday to Marion County Commission for the three departments she oversees.
Additional funding of $67,000 was requested by Abbott-Becker for additional personnel and training for an EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) program.
The program was ultimately denied by the commission later in the meeting.
The program was not mandatory, Abbott-Becker said, but was part of the state's trauma plan and recommended the program be implemented. The plan was to implemented by June 2005, Abbott-Becker said.
"We're getting close (to the deadline) and in order to follow the trauma plan, the program needs to be in place by June 30, 2005," Abbott-Becker said.
The purpose of the program was to provide medical instructions to callers before an ambulance arrives.
"The county attorney recommended us doing it (providing the service)," Abbott-Becker said.
Currently 17 of the 19 dispatch centers in the county's region have implemented the program.
Commission chairman Leroy Wetta commented those centers were probably higher populated areas.
Abbott-Becker said she was concerned about the liability issue of giving instructions but was told there was more liability in not providing the service.
Two additional dispatchers would need to be hired to cover the responsibilities of answering 911 calls and providing medical instructions. In addition to hiring dispatchers, four new jailers would be needed.
Currently dispatchers provide jailer services during evenings and weekends.
If the EMD program was implemented, the dispatchers would be moved downstairs and would no longer be able to check inmates. Additional jailers would be hired to do what the dispatchers currently are doing.
"You're not going to find many countywide 911 dispatchers performing jailers' duties," Abbott-Becker said.
Commissioner Howard Collett said he wasn't sure what the county could afford.
"I'm trying to figure out how much service we can afford," Collett said. He added he was concerned about errors and omissions.
Another concern, Abbott-Becker said, if the communications department no longer provided matron duties, the department could no longer stay within the 28-day pay cycle unless they provide a 24-hour matron. The current pay cycle allows more than 40 hours be worked in a week without overtime pay.
Collett asked if cameras and monitors for jail cells could be considered matron duties. Abbott-Becker said she wasn't sure.
"There still will be some matron duties for female prisoners," Abbott-Becker said.
Wetta said he was concerned about the $250,000 expense for two dispatchers, four jailers, training, and computer software.
Abbott-Becker commented maybe she should have phased in the employees and the program but it still would be an expense.
"If we do EMD with monitors, we're looking at $67,000 to $70,000," Collett said. "If we delay EMD, is there someone who will come down and chop off our heads?"
Wetta said he was concerned since it wasn't mandated, the criteria could be changed.
"Every county (dispatch center) has had the same concerns about the EMD program," Abbott-Becker said, "and have worked through the issues."
Abbott-Becker added residents envision a dispatcher performing medical instructions like they see on television.
"Living in a rural area, we're not going to have all of the urban amenities," Collett said.
"But in rural areas, response time can be longer," Abbott-Becker said. She added that Marion County's response time was "very fast."
The emergency management proposed 2005 budget remained the same as 2004, Abbott-Becker said. No anticipated equipment purchases will be made. Grants will be used for emergency equipment and services.
Funds were budgeted for new tile flooring in the dispatch area due to rain water soaking the carpet in the area.
