Did AMR/Rural/SW whatever they are these days loose the Scottsdale transport contract? Starting yesterday I'm hearing Maricopa601, etc being dispatched for transports in Scottsdale. Just wondering...
February 19th was the switch from AMR to Maricopa Ambulance. Scottsdale wanted all BLS Units only, AMR said no, they needed to be ALS Units. So Scottsdale went with Maricopa who would go BLS.
I've always believed EMS and Fire should be there own Departments.
This is the "curse" of the Phoenix Valley! EMS here is Fire driven, us AMR Maricopa Units deal with it a lot. Our Units, our Medics are in charge, Valley Fire doesn't like that. Scottsdale was told that AMR/SW would keep Medics on the trucks, and that they were in charge...Scottsdale went with Maricopa Ambulance for that reason. The reason that this could be bad, is that if the Engine has some sort of trouble, now you have a BLS ambulance on an ALS call. I've always believed EMS and Fire should be there own Departments.
This is nothing new for EMS in the Valley. I worked here when all seven ambulance companies were on "fire rotation" for the calls, some years ago. I would be heading to South Phx from a station in Goodyear and passing another company heading to West Phx for South Phx.. And yes, who is in charge in my ambulance was a constant battle. I remember our company sent PFD a letter about it after the fire medics (6 of them) made both members sit in the front and then complained they couldn't find anything they needed. We seemed to get less fire calls after that, Himmmmm........ LOL
This has been my opposite experience here in IL... everywhere I've lived and worked the FD encompassed EMS, and everyone worked well and seamlessly together. Of course all of the EMS units were ALS.
But now I'm taking this thread off topic... so I'll just go eat dinner and watch Olympics.