Detroit has been running on "Obama" style socialism and math for YEARS. The story below only serves to point out just how well THAT works.
Detroit Fire Crown Victoria (Credit: myFOXDetroit.com)
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Detroit EMTs Forced to Drive Crown Victorias, Sources Say
Updated: Thursday, 12 Aug 2010, 11:17 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 12 Aug 2010, 10:37 PM EDT
By TARYN ASHER
myFOXDetroit.com
DETROIT - It is no secret that there is a shortage of ambulances in the city of Detroit. Oftentimes, there are not enough to respond to runs. However, instead of bringing some of those rigs back, we have learned that the city has turned to a new mode of transportation.
FOX 2 has learned 31 out of 45 rigs are out of service. An EMS manpower sheet we obtained shows hardly any truck available.
"These trucks have sat here for months and months. It's a rotating cycle of hopelessness," said Detroit EMS Union President Wisam Zeineh.
However, it gets worse. Although 22 rigs are needed to respond to runs each day, union officials say right now only 14 to 16 are working. As a band aid fix, sources tell FOX 2 that EMTs and paramedics are being forced to drive a Detroit Fire Crown Victoria.
Sources tell FOX 2 over the last couple of days, two Crown Victorias have been the ambulance rotation -- EMTs only equipped with a medical bag, defibrillator, oxygen tank and an EpiPen.
Richard Cadoura is one of those EMTs forced to respond to 911 calls in basically a car.
"When I asked what type of runs we would be going to, they said that it would be interpreted by the emergency dispatchers," said Cadoura.
Since Cadoura could not transport patients, we asked him what he was supposed to do. He responded, "Just sit there and wait anywhere from several minutes to possibly an hour or maybe longer."
"It's illegal. I would say that it's improper, unethical, despicable and they should be ashamed of themselves," Zeineh said.
Zeineh says it is illegal because the vehicles are unlicensed for the jobs.
"I don't know who the brainchild was that came up with something so stupid, but it's ineffective. It's worthless, and it doesn't get to the source of the root of the problem," said Zeineh.
FOX 2 found the brainchild, Fire Commissioner James Mack, who told us he came up with this plan because there is written protocol that you can use these Crown Victorias in this capacity. He claims it is not illegal because EMTs are not using the cars to transport patients.
"The public has a right to know that if somebody responds to their home, if they're going to be able to save their life and take them to the hospital," Cadoura said.
"Nobody cares it seems like, but unfortunately people are dying because we don't have the necessary resources," Zeineh said.
Sadly, late this evening Cadoura told us he was suspended for talking to FOX 2.
Meanwhile, we are told those Crown Victorias will be brought into rotation every time there is a shortage of ambulances.
Detroit EMTs Forced to Drive Crown Victorias, Sources Say
Detroit Fire Crown Victoria (Credit: myFOXDetroit.com)
Regular Photo Size
Detroit EMTs Forced to Drive Crown Victorias, Sources Say
Updated: Thursday, 12 Aug 2010, 11:17 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 12 Aug 2010, 10:37 PM EDT
By TARYN ASHER
myFOXDetroit.com
DETROIT - It is no secret that there is a shortage of ambulances in the city of Detroit. Oftentimes, there are not enough to respond to runs. However, instead of bringing some of those rigs back, we have learned that the city has turned to a new mode of transportation.
FOX 2 has learned 31 out of 45 rigs are out of service. An EMS manpower sheet we obtained shows hardly any truck available.
"These trucks have sat here for months and months. It's a rotating cycle of hopelessness," said Detroit EMS Union President Wisam Zeineh.
However, it gets worse. Although 22 rigs are needed to respond to runs each day, union officials say right now only 14 to 16 are working. As a band aid fix, sources tell FOX 2 that EMTs and paramedics are being forced to drive a Detroit Fire Crown Victoria.
Sources tell FOX 2 over the last couple of days, two Crown Victorias have been the ambulance rotation -- EMTs only equipped with a medical bag, defibrillator, oxygen tank and an EpiPen.
Richard Cadoura is one of those EMTs forced to respond to 911 calls in basically a car.
"When I asked what type of runs we would be going to, they said that it would be interpreted by the emergency dispatchers," said Cadoura.
Since Cadoura could not transport patients, we asked him what he was supposed to do. He responded, "Just sit there and wait anywhere from several minutes to possibly an hour or maybe longer."
"It's illegal. I would say that it's improper, unethical, despicable and they should be ashamed of themselves," Zeineh said.
Zeineh says it is illegal because the vehicles are unlicensed for the jobs.
"I don't know who the brainchild was that came up with something so stupid, but it's ineffective. It's worthless, and it doesn't get to the source of the root of the problem," said Zeineh.
FOX 2 found the brainchild, Fire Commissioner James Mack, who told us he came up with this plan because there is written protocol that you can use these Crown Victorias in this capacity. He claims it is not illegal because EMTs are not using the cars to transport patients.
"The public has a right to know that if somebody responds to their home, if they're going to be able to save their life and take them to the hospital," Cadoura said.
"Nobody cares it seems like, but unfortunately people are dying because we don't have the necessary resources," Zeineh said.
Sadly, late this evening Cadoura told us he was suspended for talking to FOX 2.
Meanwhile, we are told those Crown Victorias will be brought into rotation every time there is a shortage of ambulances.
Detroit EMTs Forced to Drive Crown Victorias, Sources Say
