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77 7 <br /> ` . Iv <br /> '. <br /> r: <br /> 3 <br /> W GARDEN <br /> ° PEED & KAY <br /> 4 <br /> 1882 Old Dixie Highway • Vero Beach , FL 32960 • ( 561 ) 569 - 4954 • ( 561 ) 562 - 9056 Fax <br /> June 27, 2001 <br /> Mrs . Caroline Ginn, Chairman <br /> Indian River County Board of Commissioners <br /> 1840 25h Street <br /> Vero Beach, FL 32960 <br /> Dear Chairman Ginn, <br /> As you well know, the delivery of Emergency Services in Indian River County has <br /> become a very intense, emotional and sadly a highly political issue . As a proud member <br /> of a brotherhood that is deep in a tradition of loyalty, love of community and country, and <br /> caring for his fellow man, I am truly saddened . I am saddened by the lack of leadership <br /> from our policymakers as they make little or no attempt to try and make a bad situation <br /> better and more cost effective for the citizenry . But in this case, for your employees who <br /> put their lives on the line everyday . <br /> Problems in the stations that were non-existent such as arguments over who performs <br /> even the most menial of task when I started over 20 years ago are now commonplace, and <br /> it is even spilling over onto the emergency scene. No camaraderie exists between the two <br /> divisions, and within both divisions personnel who are dual certified as firefighters and <br /> paramedics are not allowed to use those skills . I for instance, have been trained as a <br /> Paramedic since 1984, cleared by this county ' s Medical Director to provide paramedic <br /> care in the field. But other than the short time I was allowed to use my additional skills at <br /> Station #6 while serving on the Advanced Life Support Engine, I am no longer able to <br /> assist our community in that regards. The fact that this practice of not using employees to <br /> their fullest potential is not a good thing fiscally or professionally for the employees or <br /> the people we serve. But most importantly, friendships are in jeopardy and wounds are <br /> being inflicted on both sides that may never heal unless we do something instead of <br /> hoping it will just go away. Commissioner, you have been told this before, you have been <br /> lobbied by both Labor Unions, local citizens have even spoke out, but nothing has ever <br /> been done but to throw more money at it and hope it just goes away . <br /> As you can tell by my few words we need to do something, and I give you the following <br /> recommendations : <br /> Reenergize the Emergency Services Advisory Committee and give them some <br /> clout, make it a board that citizens want to serve on. Make them meet at least once <br /> a month starting out bi-monthly so some of these issues can be resolved . Follow <br /> their recommendations or give good sound reasons for not taking their advice . <br /> Politics should never interfere with Emergency care . Policy makers should not <br /> serve on local boards as their personal agendas and political beliefs tend to get in <br /> the way and even sometimes make the situation worse. Delivery of emergency <br /> JULY 39 2001 X i 8 PG 772 <br /> - 73 - <br /> 777- 771W� <br /> 77777 <br /> 11. M <br /> s <br />