Privatizing EMS would be a big mistake

Written by Opinion Tuesday, 14 February 2012 00:00

To the editor:

I am utterly appalled that so soon in his career as an Upper Township committeeman, Mr. Inserra would propose the privatization of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in our town. From what corner of the township did this man come out from under a rock? What are your credentials to be able to propose such a drastic change? Have you ever had any involvement in the delivery or management of emergency services?

Having nearly 34 years experience in EMS and fire rescue services under my belt, I believe that I can speak with some authority on the topic. As a certified paramedic since 1991, I can assure you that I can address and rebut any claim that your proposal has any merit whatsoever.

The Upper Township Rescue Squad (UTRS) is in the business of saving lives. AtlantiCare is in the business of making money while providing EMS. I am not singling out AtlantiCare, the same can be said of any of the for-profit private ambulance services. Before I get too long winded, you need only ask the director of EMS at AtlantiCare one question – “Can you provide equal service to what is in place right now?” He will tell you no. And here is why.

First off, the UTRS can field three ambulances in an instant. Given the number of motor vehicle accidents in the township, this is important as these accidents often result in multiple victims. It is also important given the way that the squad’s call volume increases during the summer months. In fact, it is not out of the realm of normal operations for ambulances from Ocean City or Belleplain to be in town helping out. With AtlantiCare, you will loose this. They aren’t going to call for the closest ambulance to come assist, they will call on their other money-making units in Atlantic County to come transport victims. There is a reason that AtlantiCare made their paramedic units transport capable – double duty!

Will privatization save money? Initially it will. One need only look at the EMS services on the West Coast, in California particularly. If you recall, that state suffered serious financial troubles through the late 1980’s that resulted in several counties declaring bankruptcy. As a result of this, many municipal EMS agencies ceased to exist. They were replaced by private companies who came in and said, “We’ll do it for free.” Then as time went on, after the cities had let employees go, sold the ambulances, liquidated all the EMS supplies and equipment, it came time to re-negotiate the contract. Mysteriously, now free became a fee that rose every year until it rivaled or exceeded the cost of the service that was replaced. What is the main reason government is shy of starting a new program or service – the start up costs. For any of those towns to get back into the EMS business required the purchase of ambulances and equipment. And remember, all the while you will have no control over the operations or the personnel.

Currently, you have a corps of personnel who know the community, care about the community, and give to the community. I have not only worked with these folks, but I have needed them. There is no worse feeling for any provider than being faced with a situation that requires them to call 9-1-1. Prompt response and stellar care is what I received, not because of who I am but because the UTRS provides that type of service. They deserve the support of our elected officials, not the threat of loosing their livelihood.

In closing, I question your methodology Mr. Inserra. I have been a resident of the township for 15 years. I have watched, with amazement at times, the manner in which our town fathers have taken care of business. With unity and cohesiveness, they always addressed and remedied the concerns of the citizenry. Not every decision made pleased me or every resident, but I am confident that the decision was made with the best interest of the community.

Why, at such an early stage of your political career, would you want to propose such an earth shattering change? I don’t recall hearing anywhere in your campaign that you were going to change the world! I hope that I am wrong, but it would seem to me that this may just be the beginning of you airing a long list of things you want changed. You may have some good ideas, I don’t know, but this is not one of them and it will make me wary of anything that you put forward in the future.

This is not Ocean City or Atlantic City. We are a small community not accustomed to adversarial or confrontational elected officials hell-bent on changing everything that they find slightly objectionable. Thank goodness you are only one vote. I can only hope that our other elected officials see this farce for what it really is.

The truth of the matter is that, in my opinion, you were fed some information that contained half truths that may have led to some potential short-term savings for the taxpayers. Do yourself a favor and the rest of us for that matter and research things that folks tell you about before you propose them. Put forth informed, detailed, and relevant ideas for consideration. As for your source of info on this topic, he/she should be ashamed of himself for trying to stick a knife in the back of so many people that he/she refers to as friends.

Robert Stanton

Marmora