VIEWPOINT
County should consider all options for vital paramedics
By Barbara Kirby Former Emergency Medical Technician trainer

No one can deny how vital a paramedic is in providing exceptional care to victims in crisis from medical conditions and/or trauma.

A paramedic is certified by the State of Florida to perform specific medical protocols established through "handson" training and testing. These medical protocols include starting IV fluids, administering IV medication and/or IV solutions (for example a 50 percent Dextrose, or sugar, solution to an unconscious insulin shock victim before they go deeply into insulin shock that they have brain damage or die). At times, paramedics must intubate a blocked airway to reestablish breathing. They are also trained and certified to relieve trauma-related chest injuries that are compromising the actions of both the heart and the lungs.

In these critical scenarios, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/ "first responder" is not qualified to intercede in the critical care of a victim.

If we learned nothing else in the Red Cross Basic First Aid course, we left that class with the worlds "do no harm" imbedded in our memory. All state-certified emergency services (for that matter, most medical services) respect and live up to the best of their ability this "do no harm" challenge.

South Santa Rosa County currently has at least seven certified paramedics employed by fire departments. These paramedics can only act as "first responders" or volunteer EMT's because of the current contract Santa Rosa County has with Rural/Metro Ambulance Service. I understand that following and during disasters such as hurricanes, hazard material spills, tornadoes, floods, etc., the county has already established protocols for these emergencies. These protocols all ensure that all personnel are utilized to their greatest ability (potential) in these disaster situations.

Therefore, I respectfully request our County Commissioners to recognize that ambulance companies other than Rural/Metro would welcome the opportunity to bid on a request for proposal (RFP) that includes utilizing our cooperating with non-volunteer

or volunteer fire departments that recognize or employ Florida-certified paramedics. These paramedics are essential in preventing these consequences of providing care that is "too little, too late."

For example, a certified paramedic who is not limited to being a first responder/volunteer EMT could save a child or young adult from brain damage at the scene. Rural/Metro, under their current contract with the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, denies paramedics who are not employed by Rural/Metro to "rescue to the best of their ability."

Again, I respectfully request the Santa Rosa County Commissioners to put on the agenda of their Jan. 8 meeting a determination of RFP so that Rural/Metro and other interested ambulance companies have the opportunity to respond to that RFP within a designated time. This RFP should challenge the respondents to address ways in which they would allow or cooperate with current and future certified paramedics that are employed as firemen also.

Barbara Kirby is a Gulf Breeze resident.