The Clinton City Council tonight will vote to approve the Clinton Fire Department to upgrade two of their engines to Basic Life Support (BSL).
Clinton Fire Chief Shawn Milton explains eleven firefighters are voluntarily basic EMTs and they are seeking upgrade two of their engines to what is called "Basic Life Support". Chief Milton says this is basically to supplement when Dr. John Warner Hospital Ambulances are on another call and they are called out waiting on Heyworth or Farmer City.
[audio:51412firemedical1.mp3] [/audio]
Currently, firefighters can only give oxygen or sugar for diabetics. This upgrade would allow them to give out six medications. Chief Milton says the fire fighters are footing the bill for the equipment to put on each rig. The total comes to close to $14-hundred.
[audio:51412firemedical2.mp3] [/audio]
President of the firefighters union, David Dallas explains since the Dr. John Warner Hospital has cut back their overnight crews, they have had 11 calls waiting for Clinton Ambulances. Dallas explains on four of those calls, firefighters could have been administered the drugs if the upgrade had been approved.
[audio:61112firemedical3.mp3] [/audio]
Mayor Peters also expressed concern over liability with the fire department issuing certain drugs. Chief Milton says there is liability for any call they go to. He assured the Mayor any exchange of medicine is documented by both parties.
[audio:51412firemedical4.mp3] [/audio]
Clinton Mayor Carolyn Peters has been hesitant to vote to approve the upgrade because of legal issues involving non-union paid volunteer firefighters. The City was waiting for the approval of their Labor Attorney to give the green light that an agreement between the hospital union and the firefighters union was enough to avoid potential problems in the future but has put the vote off because of these issues.
The Council has had the item on the agenda for two regular meetings now. Tonight's meeting is at 5 pm. Voting to approve the upgrade of the two fire engines to Basic Life Support is the only item on the agenda.
