County Tells LBFD What I Said Two Years Ago -- Rapid Medic Deployment Program Is Unsafe

Thanks to the up to date reporting by my friend, Bill Pearl at www.lbreport.com, I am linking a letter just sent by the County Emergency Medical Services to the Fire Chief ordering the stoppage of the "rapid medic deployment" and the reinstating of the previous model of providing paramedic services.

See link for full letter: http://www.lbreport.com/rmd/rmd.pdf

Okay, so I told you so two years ago when I was on City Council.  I repeatedly stated the program was unsafe. (And being the only health care professional on the council who worked in local ERs and also served briefly as an EMT...I knew what I was talking about.)

No other city in LA County uses the model pushed through by this current Fire Chief and City Manager. From the moment it was installed, firefighters complained that it put patient safety in jeopardy. And guess what. It did.

So let's hope the City doesn't get sued by a patient who claims that response was delayed because someone had the hair-brain idea to change the model of emergency medical services that had served this city and its residents well for many, many years.

Long Beach Business Journal Features Schipske Column

The Long Beach Business Journal is featuring my column (and others) on a newly launched website. This gives readers the opportunity to make comments.

Check it out. I welcome feedback but please be civil.

http://www.lbbizjournal.com/#!insidecityhall/c1w6p