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Pr - <br />DEC 2 0 1988 <br />BOOK <br />5FAA 413 <br />and also believed 60 out of 67 counties in this state can't be <br />wrong when they are utilizing a county -operated system. He noted <br />,that this proposal has been grossly maligned and many things said <br />that were not true. The budget is realistic; although it is true <br />that he did not add $330,000 to his budget to fund the entire <br />operation of the ambulance squads since they largely support <br />themselves. <br />Director Wright submitted that the County proposal is <br />affordable; it is manageable and can be achieved; it is account- <br />able to the taxpayers and provides a level of patient care <br />comparable to and possibly superior to that provided now. He <br />would actively request and even beg the support of the Hospital, <br />and he urged that the Commission support this proposal and move <br />forward. <br />Commissioner Eggert thanked Mr. Wright for all his work and <br />efforts to keep this at a professional level. <br />Mat Witherspoon, a Chief and representative of IRCVAS, <br />believed all the providers work very hard and have a right to <br />their own opinions. In the proposals submitted, he did not think <br />anyone at any time has diminished patient care which, whether on <br />BLS or ALS, always has been primary and felt at times this is <br />used as a smoke screen. Mr. Witherspoon agreed that it is true <br />that the ambulance squads have had some trouble in the past <br />maintaining level of personnel and equipment, but he believed the <br />main problem has been indecision as to what part they will play <br />in the medical program. The Volunteer Ambulance Squad will <br />support any program the County deems appropriate for county <br />residents as long as they remain a.volunteer organization. He <br />could see in the County plan full utilization of the volunteer <br />ambulance squads, which he did not see in the Hospital plan, and <br />stated that they see the County Plan as a salvation to continue <br />and to provide better patient care. <br />Rosemary Cavanaugh, Chief of the Fellsmere-Sebastian <br />Volunteer Ambulance Department, read a statement in support of <br />14 <br />