Agenda - 04-21-2003-4 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

[volunteers Since 1968 /~ac-~,,me,~l` ORANGE EMS AND RESCUE SQUAD 261 South Churton Street Hillsborough North Carolina 27278 202 Roberson Street Carrboro North Carolina 27510 12 November 2002 Dear Orange County Board of Commissioners, In continuing discussions between Orange EMS and Rescue, Inc. (OEMSRS) and staff of Orange County, it has become apparent that the ability to provide coverage for the EMS transport component has become increasingly more difficult under the current configuration. Thus, OEMSRS supports a change in the process in order to address the matter for the continued high quality of EMS services to the citizens or Orange County. The Board of Directors of Orange EMS and Rescue, Inc. desires to transition the primary responsibility for staffing the EMS transport component from OEMSRS to Orange County. This transition should take place over a mutually agreeable timeframe, with the schedule and operational issues to be discussed between OEMSRS and Orange County forthwith. Over the course of this transition, OEMSRS feels it imperative to consider the following issues as they pertain to the employees, volunteer members of OEMSRS, and other services OEMSRS currently provides citizens of Orange County: We fully support the conversion of the current OEMSRS paid staff to that of Orange County employees. This will maintain the services of qualified staff experienced in the Orange County system, and would most readily perpetuate the current structure of the 1RV system. We further feel it essential to preserve a relationship between OEMSRS and Orange County to continue the involvement of volunteer members of OEMSRS for such purposes as providing EMT personnel on transport units (staffing ambulances, third person or additional ambulances) and during times of need (natural disasters or emergencies), to provide coverage for the increasing demand for EMS Special Events in Orange County, and to foster a learning environment for EMS and other health care related professions. We consider the Rescue services that OEMSRS provides essential to the overall ability of emergency services response to a variety of incidents in Orange County. We desire the County to recognize and acknowledge this and support the continued provision of Rescue services by OEMSRS now and in the future. We appreciate your time and consideration in this matter and look forward to a smooth transition, for the sake of Orange County, OEMSRS, and the citizens we serve. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Respectfully, Matthew B. Dean Chairperson, Board of Directors, Orange EMS and Rescue, lnc. Cc: John M. Link, Jr., County Manager Nick Waters, Director, Department of Emergency Management Services