Panels in Tenn. Want to Expand Responder Program
Oct. 31--CROSSVILLE -- A $40,000 request for funding a new countywide first responder program will go to the Cumberland County's Budget Committee in the near future.
Cumberland County Fire Chief and EMS Director Jeff Dodson made a presentation to the county's Emergency Services Committee on possibly starting a new program and the committee recommended requesting $40,000 from the budget committee for start-up costs of the program.
"Basically, this would be an extension of the current first responder program we have in place in the city with EMS," Cumberland County Fire Chief and EMS Director Jeff Dodson said.
The whole point of expanding the program countywide would be to save lives in emergency situations with quicker response time.
The organization would be structured under Dr. Mark Fox.
Dodson said he recommended the program start with at least, initially, ten first responders who could come from a variety of agencies including police, fire, rescue squad or general population.
"We would need at least two in each of our EMS substations, which would be ten. Twenty would be more practical. I mean the more, the better, but we'd need at least ten," Dodson said.
He said the best way to get the program started would be by using some of the current employees when they are off duty.
"They'd be entitled to be paid if they are working for the county, but I mean off from their regular duty. This would be the quickest way I would recommend and then we could train the others," Dodson said.
He also speculated there would be additional costs for pagers, trauma bag, AED, training and National Registry Test. He said some of the older radios could be used.
Dodson said for budgeting needs it would require roughly $2,500 per first responder, possible overtime costs if current EMS employees are used also as first responders and possible insurance costs for those who are not currently first responders covered or affiliated with Emergency Services.
"This service would be billable through the ambulance service and would come back to the county that way," said Roy Turner, 7th District commissioner. Turner also works for the Cumberland County EMS Department.
Dr. Fox explained this service would be the most benefit to cases of airway obstruction (choking), cardiac arrest or trauma injuries, such as severe cuts.
"Those are the cases where doing this is going to save lives," Dr. Fox said to the Emergency Services Committee.
Jeff Brown, 8th District commissioner, then made a motion to recommend starting the program and request $40,000 from the Budget Committee for start-up costs during this fiscal year's budget.
Clyde Cramer, 9th District commissioner, supported the motion and it was unanimously passed by the full committee.
The Budget Committee should hear the request during next month's meeting.
Copyright 2011 - Crossville Chronicle, Tenn.
