In a reply to Get Involved, we were asked, “What should we say?”
We need to address our concerns, bring ourselves to into the picture. When an issue involving public safety is discussed, we want them to know there are more than two sides to the picture. Fire, Police AND EMS.
Most of us found out a few weeks ago from an article in the Indy Star that Wishard was suppose to take over EMS in the old Washington & Warren areas post merger. That never came to be, yet how many knew for sure that was suppose to happen? There were rumors galore before that, but no one was saying anything. There was no inclusion of EMS providers in the process. There were discussions among the chiefs, but we were kept in the dark.
What lies down the road for us? We have a mayor who supports consolidation, and has said publicly that he supports consolidation of fire departments in Marion County. Should we, as EMS providers, just keep our mouths shut and hope that the union, the management, or the Mayor makes the best decisions about our future based on what they believe our value is?
Many people have whined and cried about the state of the Wishard fleet, but how many have stepped forward and addressed the issue with anyone who has the power to investigate it, let alone demand results?
How many people in the position of power know that Wishard trucks are required to sit outside of firehouses all winter, engines running to keep their drugs warm because IFD does not let them park inside?
IFD EMS has union representation, but we need to keep in mind who that representation is and where their loyalties lie. The L416, Indianapolis Metropolitan Professional Firefighters, a local of the International Association of Fire Fighters. If push comes to shove, do we count on them to work in our best interest even if it is contrary to what is in the best interest of the firefighters?
So, the question again is what do we say. We say we want to know where EMS falls into the Mayors consolidation plan. We say we want safe vehicles to respond in. We want inclusion in decisions that affect our future. We want the union to represent us just as aggressively as it represents firefighters. We remind them that EMS is a part of public safety and we should be included as such. We say we are here and we will be counted!
Stay Safe
Dee
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Indy EMS, your local 3rd service blog. We are not the police, and no matter what our uniforms say, most of us are not firefighters. This is our site. This is where we can come to exchange ideas, develop plans, and yes even vent. Please keep it clean, on point, and respectful to others and their ideas. Oh yeah, and don't forget HIPPA. We wouldn't want to end up unemployed or in court for a slip of the tongue. Read. Post & Enjoy.
4 comments:
You keep talking about union representation and how it is in question on whether we should count on them to represent us loyally and fair but really have they improved anything for ifd civs. Wishard has a union that is revolved around the business management of things not ems. U never hear anything about what they are doing to improve our work enviroment. How can we put any faith in a union that doesn't give a rats ass about us. AFSME comes around wishard every year asking for membership and money and they can't understand why wishard employees walk in sign the paper that states they were there and then walk out pissed not talking to any representative from AFSME. they need to open their eyes and see that we know they don't care. They need to do something for the employee as well as the ifd civs union. Oh and another thing wishard ambulances sitting outside ifd fire houses what the hell is this about. Cause some old timer captain was pissed of because a white shirt is in his fire house. why is it wishard lets this happen. Well how bout this "They Don't Give A Shit". My tax paying money sitting outside in negative 30 weather. because of some old wrinkled up has been doesn't get to sit in his recliner that day. Childish and dump. Grow up. I get so tired of walking on egg shells with IFD, wishard management, and the medical directors. I am over it.
According to IFD from their mouths they say that we are guests in the firehouse and we should feel priveleged that we are eeven allowed to come in the firehouse. So what does that really mean about us?
Well besides the fact that some firehouses don't have extra bay space. But just from a dollars point of view. Wishard doesn't pay any of the bills for: water, sewer, cable, paper products, internet, etc. There are some firehouses that have a crew room or area for the Wishard people and most firefighters welcome them in with no problems. The problems start when the Medic crews are pigs or don't offer to help with house duties, or pay in a few dollars for house dues. In most houses; cable, staples, coffee, etc are paid for by guys in the house through house dues. This is a two way street, you gotta give a little to get a little. I don't have any problems with the crews in my house. We get along, they help out when asked and probably would put in house dues if asked. Get over yourselves and make some effort with the houses that you may find yourselves in. At the very least, don't be a pig/slug.
It is Wishard's policy to pay house dues for those crews that area stationed at a fire house. That money does go for staples and other things, it's just not paid out directly to the fire house but into a larger budget for IFD. IF the fire houses don't see that money then they need to be asking their own management where it is going.
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