Tenn. Board Stops Payments for First Responder Insurance
June 03--The Fairfield Glade Community Club Board of Directors has opted to stop paying the Fairfield Glade Fire Department's first responder liability insurance, thereby legally prohibiting qualified members from performing the life-saving tasks they've been trained to do. The move will reportedly save the club $7,500 a year for the $3,000,000 in insurance coverage.
"The board is concerned about [the qualified volunteer firefighters] acting as first responders and the liability that the club takes on," stated General Manager Bob Weber. "That's something that really the county EMS should be handling."
On Tuesday morning, County EMS Director Jeff Dodson stated he had talked to the county finance department about providing insurance for Fairfield Glade's first responders and hoped to hear back from them this week.
"We're going to make sure we have something for the guys we have signed up on the first responder program," said Dodson.
Until such time, the seven first responders on the Fairfield Glade Fire Department will not be able to treat patients.
According to Cumberland County Emergency Communications Dispatch Director Eric Ritzman, EMS response times in Fairfield Glade have increased in the last year, from 10 minutes to 21 minutes. Fairfield Glade's Fire Department response times average 4 -- 5 minutes, which is crucial given that the first 8 -- 10 minutes following a medical emergency are often critical in determining whether a patient lives or dies. As such, first responders play a key role in emergency medical situations. They stabilize patients and get them ready for transport to a medical facility. Essentially, when first responders are involved, all EMS has to do is show up and transport the patient.
Currently, county EMS operates a substation in Fairfield Glade, however, there is generally a two-hour turn around time in between calls; even longer if they have to transport patients anywhere outside of Crossville.
In addition to the seven first responders currently serving on the FFG Fire Department, Chief Matthew Dillman has discussed plans for enhancing residents' safety by obtaining instructor licenses for CPR training with the intention of conducting classes for the community. Class fees would be donated to the fire department.
Copyright 2015 - Crossville Chronicle, Tenn.
