Pantagraph.com | News | Lifeline ends service Saturday

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to: OPPS- part 2 wrote on Sep 13, 2007 10:45 AM:

" I guess my point is this, Heyworth is not the only ambulance service that needs more volunteers. Personally I am glad Heyworth has people that will drop whatever they are doing to help another person. Do I dare ask what you do to help other people, I mean other then you making rude comments on this blog. If you are from Heyworth and you think you can make the service better then VOLUNTEER! If you are from another small town they are all hurting for help, I am sure they would love to see your application. "

to: OPPS wrote on Sep 13, 2007 10:44 AM:

" You should take you own advise. Check your facts before you make your comments. Just for your information Clinton ambulance has already gone to paramedic level. Another bit of information for you, since Clinton has upgraded to paramedic they have called Heyworth because they did not have an ambulance. This in no way is “bashing” Clinton. They have hired a lot of good medics and the ambulance service in Clinton is looking very bright. However when you are the only ambulance service in Dewitt county other then Farmer City you still sometimes have to call for help, regardless if you’re a paramedic service or not. If you are out of ambulances you are out of ambulances. On the topic of Heyworth ambulance, I am not sure where you are getting your facts. You are typing that they have a history of being slow and not having a full crew. Where did your information come from? It sounds to me that you have a personal reason that you don’t like Heyworth. "

Heyworth EMT wrote on Sep 5, 2007 10:54 AM:

" As a member of the Heyworth Ambulance i would like to say thanks to all of our members. All of you criticize us for missing calls or being slow out the door. But you know what, you guys are lucky you have an ambulance. Would you want to lose our ambulance in heyworth and have nothing, you want to talk about a wait for an ambulance to get there. to all of you criticize us, i would like to know how many of you give up at least one, in my case 2-3 nights a week in order to run on the ambulance. you have no idea how many sacrafices it takes to run on a volunteer agency. I would love to be a paramedic, unfortunately i have another job and dont have the money. So if you would like to pay for my class and the other bills i have so i can obtain this level of certification, by all means please let me know. And if we are so slow, i am with brett. my name is steve kiesling, cell phone # 309-838-1984, i would love to get you an application so you can help this agency. "

hey over here wrote on Sep 4, 2007 10:11 PM:

" The records for these missed runs etc. can be gotten by using the freedom of information act. So if you wish to know what ambulance service misses or takes to long to respond fill out the papers and read the records yourself. Brett you should also do this, you will me amazed. "

Gonna miss U LifeLife wrote on Sep 4, 2007 12:45 AM:

" :-( "

To: Missed Calls wrote on Sep 3, 2007 7:13 PM:

" Spend a shift in any 911 dispatch center and you'll be amazed at the amount of information they keep. How do you think they get all the statistics for monthly and yearly reports? Volunteers missing calls due to lack of staff happens all over the country, and it's been my experience that most of them don't want that reflected in their dispatch history. But the bottom line is "the call begins when someone calls 911; it doesn't start when the ambulance is enroute." "

Opps wrote on Sep 3, 2007 3:43 PM:

" Metcom and the county EMS office do have record tapes and records of missed calls by both county and city ambulance services. IDPH also has the rights to this info. Some ambulance services have been shut down in Illinois over the past few years because of lost calls, to long to respond, and not enough people on the service to provide service. To Brett Klawitter -Heyworth EMS since 2003 who was gripping at one other poster you should check before you type. Heyworth has a record for being slow out the door and not having a full crew on board the ambulance when leaving the station. Many calls show that lifeline got to calls in or near Heyworth before Heyworth was there. Brett you have been getting your info from someone that is trying to hide something from you. Yes Heyworth did back up Clinton but Clinton have upgraded and is planning on going to a Paramedic level. "

Ford MSRP wrote on Sep 3, 2007 3:33 PM:

" onthese big truck starts at 30,250.00. with the options that can be added, engine, intrior etc. the price can run close to 50,000.00. you can find all this on the internet. "

To Re: Brett wrote on Sep 3, 2007 3:08 PM:

" Since you seem to know exactly what agencies miss calls and how frequently, quit living in scanner land and do somrthing constructive! Why don't you call the Heyworth Officers and volunteer to be on the service down there! If you don't live in Heyworth, call your local Ambulance service and volunteer! If you live in B/N, call the EMS office and find out how you can help the surrounding areas! Otherwise shut up! "

Proud Volunteer wrote on Sep 3, 2007 2:28 PM:

" What is wrong with all of you? If you don't like the fact that Lifeline is gone, then why did you, as a "concerned citizen", not do something to ensure that your town was making decisions you agree with? I have been a VOLUNTEER EMT for almost 9 years in a rural community. I freely give my time to the citizens of my community and ask for nothing in return. I am sick of people complaining that the rural communities didn't "step up to the plate". I want to know who is going to pay my bills so I can take the I&P Classes? Who is going to raise my child so I can give more to my community than I do now? I hope and pray I never have to treat any of you in an emergency. Many of you seem so ungrateful for the help you can get because it "won't be good enough". To all volunteer and paid EMS individuals, keep up the excellent work! I thank you for the time, talent, and commitment you bring to the world around you! "

Missed calls.... wrote on Sep 3, 2007 9:22 AM:

" How do you think IDPH is going to figure it out? Do you think they have someone sitting by a scanner all day? Metcom dispatches the calls and is potentially the only one who knows each time a page goes unanswered. They keep track of everything else, how long it takes to respond, the units that respond, etc. But, when an agency doesn't answer the page, they page someone else. Then it just looks like that agency took that much longer to respond on the call. If I were the agency that actually had a crew, and responded on the call, I would surely want it noted that the slow response wasn't my fault. "

Missed calls.... wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:54 AM: wrote on Sep 3, 2007 12:19 AM:

" Why would Metcom report this? There job is to dispatch, not keep track of who is on call or who missed calls.....Thats the repsonsibilty of IDPH. "

Re Re rehashed wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:04 PM:

" Bloomington has been in the ambulance buisness since the 50's when transport was taken over from the PD "

Missed calls.... wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:54 AM:

" Unfortunately, many of the rural services don't know it when they miss a call. Metcom doesn't report this information to anyone, they don't even track it. Someone has to start keeping track. By the way, placing your ambulance out of service because you don't have a crew is the same thing as missing the call. "

Blame Hospitals wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:12 AM:

" St Joesph, BroMenn, Dan Brady and the county govt let the residents in this county down (ecspecialy rural residents) The hospital both built multi million dollar ERs (that mostly sits empty) but did not want to invest in getting you thier. But they still want you to go to thier ER so they can milk your insurance carrier. I am embarrassed that this county can't be a leader. But how well can the county board represent you when 17 of the 20 members have a Bloomington or Normal address? Thanks to all of the LLMM medics that have been an inspiration and mentor to all of us volunteers! "

Re: Egos and Turf wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:14 AM:

" Maybe everyone shouldn't be so hard on the hospitals. For 20 years Lifeline provided quality ALS coverage for McLean County and parts of Woodford, Livingston, DeWitt, and Tazewell Counties. They responded on calls and placed Paramedics onto BLS ambulances so the patient could receive the treatment needed. They covered hundreds of calls when agencies didn't have the staffing, or had all their EMT's at a fire. All this time, rural services and city Fire Departments chatised them because Lifeline was supported by billing the patient. Sooo......Lifeline Paramedics started allowing patients to be transported in BLS ambulances, and they placed a Paramedic onboard. Lifeline lost millions of dollars over the 20 years from this practice. If you transport less than 50% of the patients who you respond to and care for, and get nothing, or a small fraction of what you would get if your transported, you go out of business. Just look at what Bloomington and Normal are now charging, in addition to their tax dollars, just to support ALS. The Fire Departments will start to make money on EMS, because they will be transporting all of the patients. "

Re: Rehashed wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:55 PM:

" Bloomington's been in the Fire business for 150 years. How many years have they been in the ambulance business? Paramedics started in Illinois in the '70s, and now over 30 years later, Bloomington Fire has finally decided to get into the ALS transport business. Seems they needed Lifeline to show them how valuable ALS care can be for some patients. "

Re: Brett wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:48 PM:

" Good claim to make, but better check with your officers. Maybe you weren't in town when the calls were missed, no one was, that is why no one responded and they got turned over to Lifeline. Now who will back up the services who don't respond when paged, other volunteer services who have trouble staffing also? "

Agree with Egos and Turf wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:42 PM:

" I've been involved in EMS in McLean County since the 80's. I've seen the studies, none of which the Fire Departments would allow to be released. The studies said there needed to be a County Wide System of ALS. Now given that no one would agree to giving up control, the next best would be for the Fire Department to go ALS. Yet it took the hospital's dropping the ball before the Fire Departments would train to the Paramedic level. It is unfortunate that in most Fire Departments, the guys with 6+ years on the Department move off the ambulances and onto Fire Apparatus. Pays more and if you want to ever wear a white shirt, better get off the ambulance. The least experienced cover the ambulance. Lifeline provided coverage for portions of McLean County for 30 years, not 20. They always picked up the slack for what no one else wanted to do. Everyone likes to take shots at Lifeline, but if it were not for them, the cemetaries would be alot more crowded. "

iF YOUR SMART wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:38 PM:

" NOT ONLY WILL YOU CALL FOR AN AMUBLANCE WHEN U NEED ONE BUT ALSO A LAWYER. THE STANDARD LEVEL OF CARE IS NO LONGER STANDARD. "

Rehashed wrote on Sep 1, 2007 8:11 PM:

" All of these comments have been made before on numerous articles related to Lifeline and the Fire Dept's. The Fire Departments will do just fine. Bloomington has had a Fire Dept. in place for 150 years now, I think they can handle the additional responsibility of the Paramedic service. The professional Bloomington and Normal Firefighters/Paramedics are trained and compentent people. Lifeline had a few good medics and a few bad medics, not all of them had 20 years of experience. Some of the medics that Lifeline employed were also Bloomington and Normal firefighters. The time table that Bloomington said they could handle calls in the county has not changed, Lifeline moved up their end date. Bloomington did not pay $45,000 for their chase vehicles as yo stated. I squashed his argument in a previous article, but he posted the same thing again here. I could go on, but I'm getting bored. "

BFD Bashers wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:14 PM:

" Lifeline went bankrupt! I for one commend the BFD for at least making the attempt to help pick up the slack. The BFD did not create this mess, and everybody is criticizing them! All you bashers will be real glad to see a BFD paramedic coming when you crash your car in the county! "

what ?? wrote on Sep 1, 2007 12:37 PM wrote on Sep 1, 2007 5:21 PM:

" I would sure like to know when Heyworth could not get a crew? Man I have been on for five almost six years and we have never missed a call. I would sure like to know where you got your facts from. In fact we cover Mclean when they are short as well as Clinton. If you think you can better the service, I would be more than happy to get you an application. Please call me at 309 261 1859. Or call me with an istance where we could not get a crew. Oh yeah I will leave my name: Brett Klawitter -Heyworth EMS since 2003. "

Lifeline medic wrote on Sep 1, 2007 4:36 PM:

" Good bye to all Lifeline and bfd and to normal good luck thanks for all your hard work even if it won"t be enough to pull your self out of the hole bfd threw you in to "

lets see wrote on Sep 1, 2007 4:34 PM:

" Give them a longer rope see if the hang themselfs because we know how this show ends "

Knows Better wrote on Sep 1, 2007 4:32 PM:

" I did pass the test took the job but decided it was not my cup of tea when to state farm.... We need to watch as citizens of bloomington how much money the firedept spends remember it are tax dollars at work "

knows better wrote on Sep 1, 2007 3:49 PM:

" I keep hearing how the fire dept. paramedics have no experience. Most of the medics hired by the fire departments came from other systems and have plenty of experience. The fire dept. will be vastly superior to Lifeline. The quality of Lifeline medics over the last year was declining rapidly. As far as what firefighters make, are they supposed to apologize for making a decent living? Sounds like a disgruntled Lifeline medic who couldn't pass the fire test! "

me wrote on Sep 1, 2007 3:36 PM:

" One thing people [me included] need to remember when you have tax payer money being spent,the governments to be, think big, not wise. "

reader wrote on Sep 1, 2007 3:33 PM:

" Since it is funded by our two hospitals no wonder it is being dropped .It says alot about the quality of care you can expect from them .Maybe we need a good hospital that can give us a good ambulance service too. "

Former LifeLine Paramedic wrote on Sep 1, 2007 3:13 PM:

" I will really miss all the talened paramedic's and emt's that worked for peanuts at LifeLine while the FireDept makes twice the money that will only provide half the care... it take years to become as good as we are not just a high score on a test or just have a emt-p behind your name! I feel sorry for the most part for the people who will not Have a good paramedic to show up at there door and take the time and care to make them better or save there life.. If the hospitals would have managed lifeline better they would still be here all we had heard for years from the hospital's were lies..... good by all god bless ..good luck to the blm and normal firedept you will need it..... "

To "what?" wrote on Sep 1, 2007 3:05 PM:

" The BFD Chief is on track, and even moved up the BFD timetable. If you want to blame someone, blame Lifeline. They were supposed to stay in business until December, 2008. They bailed early! You can't place any blame on BFD for that. "

In the Know wrote on Sep 1, 2007 3:03 PM:

" Well, the state bid price for a 2006 Ford Expedition that BFD purchased (NOT an Excursion) was $24,210. I doubt a 2007 Expedition is $45,000 as Yo maintains. Additionally, the LL Endeavors were considered by BFD, but were considered too small for all of the equipment they wanted to place on the vehicles. Many states on the East Coast have paramedic intercepts, and almost all use Chevy Suburbans or Ford Expeditions. "

Observant wrote on Sep 1, 2007 2:31 PM:

" Bloomington Fire Dept now has the most advance system in downstate Illinois.In fact Springfield is now looking at Bloomington as a model. They have hired some of the most qualified intellegent and experienced Paramedics from all over the state and...are paying them what they are worth. The system here in McLean County has suffered high turnover problem for years. It is finally were it needs to be and just starting. You most likly won't notice the difference. But internally, it is there. Response times will be lower, more medics on the streets, and most important, very good people. KUDOS to Bloomington. Now get the job done for our County. "

For Just a question wrote on Sep 1, 2007 2:23 PM:

" lifeline has never operated helicopters only ambulances and transport services. The "life flight" service is state, and hospital run. To my knowledge there are helicopters stationed in Urbana and Peoria that serve for hospital to hospital and scene to hospital transport for Mclean county. "

what ?? wrote on Sep 1, 2007 12:37 PM:

" The Bloomington fire chief said that Bloomington would be able to take care of the county when lifeline shut down. Now he is pushing this back till May 2008. What will happen when someone in McLean, Heyworth, Bloomington township, Stanford, Shirley, etc. has a massive heart attack and their is, no EMTP ALS unit to help. Are people just going to die because these communities only have basic EMT’s? Wish Heyworth, and McLean had planned ahead like Leroy, and the other communities in the eastern part of the county. Looks like some dept's need to leader ship before it is too late. Will Leroy be able to help Heyworth, McLean and Bloomington Township? Or are they just going to stay in Leroy? In Heyworth we need a better service any way. They are really slow and most time does not have enough people to crew the ambulance. "

It's about time wrote on Sep 1, 2007 12:34 PM:

" To Yo- try using spellcheck. This is a change that was long overdue. Three separate studies were commissioned and all of then arrived at the same conclusion- the fire dept. is more capable of delivering EMS service. Lifeline is to be commended for 20 years of service. They saved countless lives over that time and their dedication was beyond question. However' the fire dept. is superior logistically and is not quite so hampered by a lack of funds. By the way Yo, do you know for a fact that Bloomington paid $45,000 for those vehicles? What quality should equipment be whose sole purpose is to save lives? As far as the county. They didn't upgrade service in those areas because the citizens refused to pay for it. They deserve what they get. If you want city-quality emergency service, MOVE!! "

Re: Yo wrote on Sep 1, 2007 12:09 PM:

" Actually through the municiple bid process that ford offers the cost of the Bloomington chase vehicles was within a $1000 dollars of what Carlock paid for the lifeline vehicle. Not to mention it's specked out exactly how they need it and it hasn't been abused by part time employees that don't care about preventitive maintaince. The former Lifeline vehicles aren't in that good of condition. "

So many things ~~ wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:11 AM:

" could of been cut back on but not for service when lives are at stake. It just seems that our politicians are so confused these days. They make sure they are taken care of to the highest level but not the very ones that put them in office. Someone care to explain to me why this is? Maybe a delightful politician will care to enlighten us?? "

Just a question wrote on Sep 1, 2007 10:03 AM:

" Does this mean that there will no longer be helicopters available for those of us who live in the "country"? Will we need to depend on ambulances getting us to bigger hospitals if necessary? "

KN wrote on Sep 1, 2007 9:34 AM:

" I am truly sad to see Lifeline coming to an end. A year ago, these wonderful people saved my life and I dont know where I'd be today without them. They truly cared and were compassionate in their care for me. I dont honestly know if I am comfortable depending on our Cities Fire Department to do the same. So I just wanted to say Thank You to all the Staff at Lifeline for what they have done for me and my family. You will all be missed. "

Actually wrote on Sep 1, 2007 9:11 AM:

" the level of care will only drop as a first responder. A service that can still be provided is what we in the EMS world call an Intercept. Where a higher level-Paramedic,ALS ambulance will meet up with a lower lever ambulance service, come on board their ambulance and provide the higher level of care. Because of the M.A.B.A.S. system, which is a Mutual Aid system that is being used now through almost the entire state, there is no aditional charge. About the chase vehicles. Usually the Ford Excursions can be used, not only to carry the medical equipment, Radios, computers, and turn out gear, but these vehicles can also be used as mobile command units. Also, it can be used to carry more medical equipment than an ambulance in the case of a mass casualty incident. I think it's great to see the FD take over the EMS!! It's the way it should be! "

Clarification wrote on Sep 1, 2007 8:54 AM:

" What is not mentioned in the article is the response vehicles don't have to be staffed all the time. Many of the rural agencies are struggling just to staff the ambulance. The response vehicles will be staffed "when they can". So, the communities that have purchased ambulances to solve their problem will now join those trying to staff what they have. Remember, anything can be done for money. Step up to the plate Bloomington. "

Experience???? wrote on Sep 1, 2007 8:18 AM:

" All the new paramedics that are on with the fire departments sounds like a great idea?!? I don't think that they can replace the paramedics with 20+ years of experience. Lifeline and its talented paramedics need to be brought back somehow. You can't replace experience by adding a letter to someone's credentials!!!!! "

to yo: wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:26 AM:

" You should first have your facts straight. BFD has had Ford Excursions for years now. not to mention Ford stopped making them 3 or 4 years ago. BFD is one of the area's most respected Departments. They have done a great job at keeping families safe and responding when we need them. My hat is off to them. "

I'm glad wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:12 AM:

" that I live in LeRoy where we do have a great ambulance service and great paramedics. Lifeline will be missed. "

To Yo wrote on Sep 1, 2007 6:52 AM:

" I agree that Bloomington could have purchased cheaper chase vehicles. As for the people in the south and western parts of the county, the ambulance services are working to develop solutions. In all instances these services are volunteer run. Have you ever tried to get a volunteer to take a class that requires a couple thousand hours of training for a job that they don't get paid for or paid very little for. Virtually all of these volunteers have other jobs. In Heyworth's case, the service in a non profit organization not supported by taxes at the current time. The sole income for this organization is the money collected from the ambulance calls (only a fraction of the calls get paid at full rate.) Most of these services have been working for close to two years to find solutions. I hope the residents of these communities realize that if they want paramedic level service in their areas, they are going to have to step up and pay higher taxes to support these programs. "

Egoes and Turf wrote on Sep 1, 2007 6:47 AM:

" We should have a county wide paramedic ambulance service. Sadly those involved as volunteers, employees and board members have fallen victim to stroking egoes and maintaining turf. Currently it is a hodgepodge system. We can and should do better ! "

Informed Observer wrote on Sep 1, 2007 6:12 AM:

" The Lifeline thing was just not working, as its bankruptcy showed. It didn't really make sense to see two ambulances respond to most calls in the city, and one always leave empty. Lifeline's boxes were getting old, and after they decided to stop service, people were jumping ship. I thought that they agreed to stay around until 2009 to give local departments more time to build up local service, but they claimed they were losing $1 million a year. Bloomington, and maybe Normal, will end up with much better service than Lifeline ever gave them, but there is still a need for our rural services to step up to the plate. Sure, Bloomington has offered to help outside the city, but we still need our own reliable transport. Paramedic, like Carlock has done, would be better still. "

a shame indeed wrote on Sep 1, 2007 4:56 AM:

" they gotta be joking this is bs "

What a shame. wrote on Sep 1, 2007 12:23 AM:

" I'm disgusted. "

yo wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:50 PM:

" Bloomington tax payers, have you seen your chase cars? your fire dept. chief bought the most expencive units he could find. A jeep would have been great because they can get through traffice easier, but the little chief bought those big $45,000.00 Ford Excurtions. What a waste of your tax dollars. As for you people in the south and south western parts of the county, you medical help has drop to the lowest levels you can get. the people leading you ambulance services have done very little to up grade your service, you will suffer because of this. "

Fire Marshall Bill wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:50 PM:

" Great news saving the taxpayer tons if money for quadrable redundancies. "

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