Anonymous
By Mark A. Hartwig (Fire Chief / State Licensed Paramedic, Santa Barbara County Fire Protection District)
Today, we are excited to announce that the Board of Supervisors approved three Ambulance Provider Permits for the Santa Barbara County Fire Protection District (Fire District).
Permits for Emergency Medical Calls, Interfacility Transports and Special Event Standby, and Critical Care Transport will provide the Fire District the opportunity to expand our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for ambulance transport across the County of Santa Barbara.
The approved permits under the new County system will allow us to more fully integrate our paramedic first response with ambulance transport and provide seamless continuity of care from ‘9-1-1 call’ to arrival at hospital emergency rooms.
As we move forward toward a March 1, 2024 implementation, we would like to highlight some enhancements of service delivery within the County:
- Dispatching the closest most appropriate medical resource through a Regional Fire Communication Center (RFCC)
- Reinvesting EMS transport revenues, to add ambulances on the streets and much needed community co-response programs through community paramedicine
- Provide a faster response to Priority 1 calls
- New fleet ambulances and equipment across the County of Santa Barbara
- Ambulance surge units strategically located throughout the County of Santa Barbara
- Social work outreach for the unhoused population
- Community career development initiatives
- Child car seat safety program
- Transition the Fire District from Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support
- Dispatch nurse accessibility for 911 calls
Under the current contract, American Medical Response will continue to be the ambulance service provider for the county through the end of February 2024. The Santa Barbara County Fire Protection District will be implementing our expanded Emergency Medical Services on March 1, 2024.
We look forward to having a smooth transition as we expand our EMS ambulance workforce. The Santa Barbara County Fire Protection Distict will be holding community workshops for those interested in learning more about the opportunities to become an integral part of our team. More information on how to apply will be found on our website and social media in the upcoming days.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Protection District’s strength is further amplified by the invaluable partnership of the Santa Barbara County Fire Chiefs Association, Operational Area Fire Departments, local hospitals, local labor groups, and community leaders. Together, we look forward to enhancing EMS and ambulance transport throughout the County of Santa Barbara.
I second what Montecito Matt said.
Third to that. The only people downvoting are county or fire officials. They aren’t even commenting publicly because they know this is BS.
Anyone who feels similarly can lodge a complaint with the Dept. of Justice PIN (Public Integrity Section) who is the agency that investigates political corruption from fraud to financial abuse.
“The only people downvoting are county or fire officials. ” – That’s just not true at all LOL
Can you post a link for filing a complaint?
Lawyer up SB County. The holes in the process to hand County Fire are huge. I can’t wait until the suits get Chief Hartwig in front of a jury for damages. Chief Hartwig’s comment about transparency is laughable given his and the fire departments underhanded conduct in this mess. Unfortunately, us tax payers will ultimately pay for mommy (BOS) giving into the child (County Fire).
Hey Mark, while you’re here, why don’t you explain what problem you’re solving by moving the EMS agency from Public Health to the Fire Department? Are we really supposed to believe that they can provide effective oversight to your department when they’re reporting to you?
It’s quite audacious to give yourself a pat on the back for this one. The County tossed AMR’s winning bid aside, which, by the way, the experts seem to like far better than yours, and now we’re supposed to be impressed with a rather underwhelming list of “enhancements” that defy common sense. This is not even a fraction of what you promised in your RFP proposal yet you’re pulling in the same revenue.
“Reinvest transport revenue,” they say. How about simply reducing the ambulance rates? Why should our ambulance bills foot the bill for the county’s most expensive version of a social worker, a union Firefighter? What’s the plan to address the legitimate concerns raised by the hospitals? Or how do they intend to manage their service when their entire staff is tied up responding to a major fire?
This whole situation is very Corrupt Town USA
Excellent news! Thanks Mark! I’m glad the the money will be reinvested into our community
Hi Mark, Of course the Board approved your request for permits, you have been able to steam roll them and went crying to them after your department lost a competitive bid fair and square. You should be embarrassed for how your department is looking in light of these meetings and how you have unprofessionally pushed to get your way with this process. Your purchasing of these ambulances in secret, hiding them and lack of transparency before having a permit or contract in hand goes to show that you really aren’t in this for the community but for the additional revenue from billing your community members. My respect for your agency is gone and I just have to laugh at how you so called professionals are more and more resembling fools. I sure hope that myself, my family or friends do not suffer at the hands of your, “great idea” or big city EMS plan for our community. I can only hope that you personally, the board of supervisors, and your department and it’s members are held legally responsible for the deaths of anyone that fall victim to this disorganization and whitewashing. May you have enough water to extinguish the wildfire you have started in the community on this topic… Sincerely, Concerned Community Member
Translation below in the “” for the layperson:
– Dispatching the closest most appropriate medical resource through a Regional Fire Communication Center (RFCC)
-Reinvesting EMS transport revenues, to add ambulances on the streets and much needed community co-response programs through community paramedicine
-Provide a faster response to Priority 1 calls
-New fleet ambulances and equipment across the County of Santa Barbara
-Ambulance surge units strategically located throughout the County of Santa Barbara
-Social work outreach for the unhoused population
-Community career development initiatives
-Child car seat safety program
-Transition the Fire District from Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support
-Dispatch nurse accessibility for 911 calls
Criminal grand jury!
Criminal grand jury!
Criminal grand jury!
The people have no way to hold Hartwig accountable, the courts need to open this whole process to investigation.
Edhat had published yet another pre-written propaganda piece written by the FD after coercing public officials against every professional recommendation. The Emergency Departments are terrified about what is going to happen. They are dismantling a terrific system on the basis of promises that will cause damage that will take decades to undo.
Criminal grand jury!
Criminal grand jury!
Criminal grand jury!