A piece of legislation could drastically change Emergency Management Services operates.

A piece of legislation put together by the Illinois Department of Public Health and federal legislators is proposing forcing rural EMS to go to paramedic units only. Illinois State Representative Chapin Rose says this would have a major impact on smaller communities around Illinois.

[audio:emsmeeting1.mp3]A Word From Rep Rose[/audio]

Rose says being a paramedic could cost that person a lot of money. He feels having a paramedic is not what is needed in these communities.

[audio:emsmeeting2.mp3]A Word From Rep Rose[/audio]

Being a former EMT, Rose is well versed on the topic. He explains this could pose a serious problem when the paramedic is out, he says at that point, EMT's could come in but they could be stationed as far or as close as cities such as Bloomington, Decatur, Champaign and Springfield.

[audio:emsmeeting3.mp3]A Word From Rep Rose[/audio]

Rep Rose and Rep. Bill Mitchell will be holding a public meeting to discuss the issue Monday at 1pm at the Maroa Fire House on Washington Street. Rose hopes to bring many problems with this proposition to light and hopes to bring common sense to the forefront for those in charge of this legislation.