RE: HALL AMBULANCE SERVICE(S) - TEHACHAPI SAFETY, SECURITY AND POLITICAL ISSUES - jimr's Blog - Tehachapi News

Apr 17, 2007 at 09:04 AM : Hall Ambulance does...

Hall Ambulance does transport to Tehachapi Hospital. Then right down to Bakes...... The local unit is always on the road. See Tehachapi News story for more info. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/ViewPost/21369

Apr 17, 2007 at 10:04 AM : I spoke with Mark...

I spoke with Mark (Hall's PR guy) yesterday. According to him we have one full time ambulance and one 12 hour ambulance. I told him that I didn't think two full time ambulances covering 25 miles and 35,000 people was asking for too much. When asked about people waiting for the next closest ambulance coming from Mojave, he stated that it's just like the fire dept. calling in for back up from a different station. When I informed him that there are 3 different county stations that are closer than half of that what it takes coming from Mojave, his statement was," Well then in that case we are making our quota with less resources than them.( insert rolling eyes)" According to him Hall is actively looking for commercial land in Tehachapi(preferably in Golden Hills) for another location. He also said this would cost them around $500,000 dollars. Yea, so. When asked if this was just being said to get some of heat off of them (yes, I did ask.) and if they had a time line I was told that no they are not just saying this but I didn't get a time line either. He also said they they average one call to the prison a day. I told him that if I owned a company I would rather go above and beyond in order to give people the best care possible instead of settling with making their times 94% of the time. Response, "We are meeting our requirements." Like beating a dead horse I tell ya!

Apr 17, 2007 at 10:04 AM : "He also said...

"He also said they they average one call to the prison a day."

So, does that mean the prisoners get better treatment than we do? Hmmm. Maybe we should all try to become prisoners?

Jim Richards

Apr 17, 2007 at 05:04 PM : I think it's time...

I think it's time for the firefighters to become paramedics to improve patient care. Patients get quick care from fire paramedics, hand off to Hall paramedics for continuing treatment and transport. Everyone wins and Harvey still makes a buck and gets to be a hero. Besides, who would want to be the one calling when by Hall's own admission, the ambulance does not make the time standard 5.9% (or 75 times) like last year.

Apr 17, 2007 at 08:04 PM : Mr. Hall should be...

Mr. Hall should be ashamed of himself for his poor (94%) service. The second shame of course, is that he is not the least bit ashamed. Apparently, his pocketbook has 100% of the money it requires. Ya know, it is a fact Mr. Hall - karma is a powerful force. Who exactly, will be the next patient to die because an ambulance didn't arrive timely?

Apr 17, 2007 at 09:04 PM : Hall's say they...

Hall's say they have two ambulances up here, What they are lying to you is that the second ambulance isn't staffed daily because they can't get enough employees to staff it. Also they are lying about the number of calls to the prison. According to their own employees, the are getting sick of running out there 3 or 4 times a day. Halls used these same tactics at Pine Mtn when the County started talking about staffing the fire station with paramedics. Harvey made a big show and sent an ambulance up there. As soon as things cooled down he changed that to weekends only. He has a way of twisting the truth.

Apr 17, 2007 at 10:04 PM : Okay, I had to respond...

Okay, I had to respond after reading Jim's blog. Aren't you quite the hypocrite to be condemning the ambulance company for not immediately providing additional service to the community. Perhaps if our hospital provided the appropriate medical services for a community this size, the ambulance would not have to take people "50 miles away" to the nearest hospital. You even stated in your blog that it would take another year...or two to build a hospital. It takes time and money to improve services.

I have used Halls ambulance for my aging father on more than one occaision. The ambulance drivers were nice and professional. We should be happy that they are here at all. Prior to moving to Keene, I lived in Montana where the ambulance service was all volunteer and they got there when they could. I am starting to believe that Tehachapi is growing to big for its britches and the mountain charm that brought me here is losing out to big city transplants who think they are entitled to big city service.

Apr 18, 2007 at 09:04 AM : Tehbadapple- Here we...

Tehbadapple- Here we go again. PLEASE TAKE NOTE. No one here is complaining about Hall's employee's. They do a wonderful job and they are great paramedics. They have no control over what is going on. No blame can be or is being put on them!!!

I am starting to believe that Tehachapi is growing to big for its britches and the mountain charm that brought me here is losing out to big city transplants who think they are entitled to big city service.

This made me laugh. Thanks! I have lived here for almost 20 yrs. Am I a transplant? Actually I think most everyone commenting on here has lived here for at least 10+ years. If Hall's already has one full time ambulance and one "12 hour" ambulance, Do you REALLY think it is asking to much to make that 12 hour ambulance a full time ambulance? Wanting two ambulances for 35,000 people in a 25 mile radius has nothing to do with entitlement.

Mark( Hall's PR guy) even admitted that the medics up here were being run HARD. When I brought this up again later in the conversation he realized what he had actually said and said, "Well since the second ambulance has been placed out there it's( medic's workload) actually not as bad."

This isn't Montana and we aren't talking about a volunteer ambulance service.

Apr 18, 2007 at 09:04 AM : All it takes is one...

All it takes is one serious car accident on the freeway (with the Montana driving style I see, Trucks, cars at 80 plus) to swamp the ambulance and the local pre-hospital care system. It won't matter if thier is a new hospital or not, if there are no paramedics to treat you and no ambulance to transport you to the emergency room. Speaking of time and money, thanks for voting down the 1/2 cent tax to improve our obsolete roads, reminds me of Montana.

By the way Badapple, I believe they like to be called EMT's and Paramedics, not ambulance drivers :)

Apr 18, 2007 at 01:04 PM : Tehbadapple - have you...

Tehbadapple - have you slipped a little in the logic area? You want Tehachapi's ambulance service to be as bad as the one you moved away from? Good service is only for the big city folks? You were kidding, right? Country charm has nothing, absolutely nothing, with dying because you couldn't get to the hospital timely because the one available ambulance available at midnight - when you happened to chock on a pretzel - was busy at the prison. Country charm has always included service and a nice smile with that service. Who's the transplant? I've lived here for over 12 years. When did you arrive from Montana?

And - your view on our hospital situation - keep up with the news. The administrators, both at the hospital and the city, the residents, the county and even the state of California have been working on the new hospital for years. I think the last update included the plans being submitted, again, and feelings ran high thinking an approval was close. But - our local doctors need to step up the the plate and be available (on call) and they have consistently been AWOL on this subject. Doctors on call don't receive much compensation, if any, so they don't want that job. And they really don't want that job when it involves being on site at midnight. And these same doctors refuse any competition in Tehachapi from the large HMOs who would staff the hospital. They really just don't care enough. So I'm not completely convinced our new hospital will be properly staffed and the emergency situation will remain. So - in summary - we need good ambulance service.

And we need that service 24/7. And until we have it, no one should feel exempt from the possibility of falling victim to the 6% of calls that cannot be answered within the considered appropriate time frames. If Hall's statistics are correct, they received 1,300 calls a week. That means 78 calls were not answered timely with the possible result of death. It is a miracle more people have not succumbed under those "statistics."

Apr 18, 2007 at 03:04 PM : All anyone needs to do...

All anyone needs to do is look at the on scene times of the fire department in Stallion Springs and Bear Valley and then look at the on scene time of the Ambulance it is a shame. All response times are recorded at the Emergency Dispatch Center in Bakersfield and i believe available for the public. I do not care what it costs hall ambulance they need to have better response times and another full time car in the area. In the old days the excuse was "well thats what you get for living in rural area" this excuse will not fly any longer there are more people living in Stallion Springs and Bear Valley than the total of Tehachapi City. If Hall wants to operate in our community we need to hold them to a better standard of care. For us its about care for Hall Ambulance its about the bottom line. Bottom line we are fed up with excuses.

Apr 18, 2007 at 03:04 PM : It is TIME for our...

It is TIME for our fire services to provide paramedic services. All other fire department in the state of California the size of Kern County FD provide paramedic service. Call your supervisor and ask why KCFD does not. Politics? a Mayor who also runs an ambulance company? How ugly does this look? Good old boy Kern County.

Apr 18, 2007 at 03:04 PM : Hey, Anonynmous. I...

Hey, Anonynmous. I agree. Hall, the Mayor of Bakersfield, and also the Owner of Hall Ambulance? At the same time? If that's not a "mutha" Conflict Of Interest, I don't know what the hell IS? Why don't you file a formal complaint with somebody? The Kern County Board of Supervisors? The Governor's Office? SOMEBODY ought to look into this? What say you, everyone?

Jim Richards

Apr 18, 2007 at 04:04 PM : Many fire departments...

Many fire departments much smaller than Kern provide paramedic service. For example; California City, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Compton, Long Beach, Santa Barbara, Ventura, even CDF. The fire dept is increasing manpower and opening new stations (Bear Valley, Stallion Springs) to meet growth, How come Hall Ambulance is not? Could it be high employee turn-over, greed, ego, how about having a monopoly on the ambulance business? I wonder what our local supervisor has to say. Remember, The ambulance companies are in this for a profit. If there was no money to be made, do you really think we would have a private ambulance service?

Apr 18, 2007 at 04:04 PM : Yes why doesn't...

Yes why doesn't Mayben ever responed to any of this? Why dont someone call him and let him know about this blog. If he even cares??????

Apr 18, 2007 at 04:04 PM : Go ahead and call Don...

Go ahead and call Don Mayben, Medicone. And report your results here. He is, as am I, a Member of the Tehachapi Hospital Foundation and you can be SURE, I will hold his feet to the fire with your report.

Jim Richards

Apr 18, 2007 at 05:04 PM : Remember, this is not...

Remember, this is not a "grudge" with the EMT's and paramedics busting thier humps every day, but the time has come for more expedient emergency services up here. By the way, how do additional ambulances get up here when the freeway is closed due to wind and snow etc?

Apr 18, 2007 at 06:04 PM : Everyone needs to...

Everyone needs to remember just how corrupt Bakersfield, the County, and little local city politicians are in Kern County. I guess its a nation wide thing however I don't think it will be easy to hold Halls feet to any fire in a county where he is so protected. How can the Mayor of Bakersfield provide EMS service to that city and then like recently ask for a fee increase? If we complain about response times all the County EMS will do is increase his allowed time this also has recently happened. About two months ago there were public EMS meetings with the county to discuss response times but Tehachpi was left out of the forum it was in Mojave I wonder if that was by design. Does anyone know how we can take this situation out of Kern County to a higher source? As long as we deal with Mayben and the Board of Supervisors we will probably see nothing done or they will ask us to pay for this service with additional parcel taxes a ploy that they love to pull. The first priority of any government, local to national should always be public safety any other programs are just a bonus. One thing we all can do is vote out Mayben on his next term.

Apr 18, 2007 at 09:04 PM : How is being Mayor and...

How is being Mayor and the owner of a private company a conflict of interest. It’s no different than any council member who runs their own business. If an issue comes up that involves their business or the interests of one of their clients, the public official recluses themselves from the discussion. Hall has owned his ambulance company a lot longer than he has been mayor. Jim, I think a conflict of interest is you as a member of the hospital foundation trying to create a crisis over ambulance service and telling people this is why they need to pay their $10 membership fee to support the hospital. Smells like a conflict or something else to me.

At the suggestion of Hall’s PR guy, I looked at the county’s website and found that there are FIVE ambulance companies in KERN COUNTY! Each one is the sole provider in their area and THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME RESPONSE TIME MANDATES. An allowable city response is 8 minutes or less. The further out, the more time they have to respond. Seems reasonable to me. If you are worried about a medical emergency than move to an area with a faster response time or closer to a hospital that provides a higher level of care than ours.

I don’t know about you, but it seems like medicone is nothing more than a disgruntled ex-employee of Halls.

Apr 18, 2007 at 10:04 PM : tehbadapple - I'm...

tehbadapple - I'm glad you're happy with the monopoly that provides life saving service at 94%. Would you be so glib if your baby happened to be the emergency falling into the 95% category? You can't honestly feel we deserve inferior service because someone else has inferior service. You can't really object to someone asking for support to the hospital and consider that a conflict of interest because they also want an ambulance service? That doesn't make any sense. Can't we have a hospital, a fire department with emergency services and a responsible ambulance company in Tehachapi? And apparently, the city is full of ex-Hall employees .... why is that?

Apr 18, 2007 at 10:04 PM : Tehbadapple Harvey...

Tehbadapple

Harvey Hall being mayor of the City of Bakersfield is a conflict of interest due to the lucrative deal his company has with the City of Bakersfield. He being the Mayor of Bakersfield a city that negotiates with his company for contracts and don't forget those fee increase request. What part of conflict of interest don't you understand? I don't think any of the people you listed have contracts between their business and the city they work for.

Apr 18, 2007 at 11:04 PM : Tehbadapple I...

Tehbadapple

I don't agree with your further out the longer the response time. You would be right if we were in the outskirts of nowhere. However Stallion Springs, Alpine Forrest, Cummings Valley, and Bear Valley, populations are more than the city of Tehachapi so what does further out mean to you? The fact is that our local Fire Services have at least attempted to grow with the population. The full time fire station in Stallion Springs with the addition of 9 full time firefighters and three additional firefighters for Bear Valley is evidence that the County recognizes the growth in Tehachapi. Hall ambulance refuses to recognize this growth with the same increase in level of service. You talk about 8 minute response times, well that would be great! but people in the affected communities wait 15, 20, 25, even 35 or 45 minutes if coming from outside Tehachapi. The one full time car in Tehachapi and the 8 hour car are often both out on calls at the same time. This response time when you live in a community that has a hospital and 4 full time fire stations should not be accepted. You should give a suggestion back to the Halls PR Guy that he should officially explain why Having only one full time Ambulance in Tehachapi is such a great deal for us. One of the 4 competitors you mention Should bring its business to Old Town or Cummings Valley. Or maybe the county should provide Paramedic firefighters to "further out Communities" in Kern. There are solutions for better EMS service we all as a community need to pressure our Board of Supervisors to change or vote them out. Pointing to statistics and what is allowed by protocol has nothing to do with a person waiting 20 minutes on the floor for ALS service. If you ever have an emergency and i truly hope you never do try not to be "further out in Tehachapi" it wont be your best chance.

Apr 18, 2007 at 11:04 PM : Mayben, Look at how...

Mayben, Look at how many blog views this site is getting 8,500 and counting, how many votes in the last election? Do you think people want change?

Apr 19, 2007 at 08:04 AM : I am not an unhappy...

I am not an unhappy ex-employee as stated above. I left Hall to take a job that pays more. ( I was making less then $35,000 working for him)I now commute to Lancaster for work. I live in the City of Tehachapi. I am not happy that even living in Town I may have to wait for an ambulance from Mojave or even Arvin. This is not so much about the response times, its about having a 2nd ambulance to cover the area. It's about giving the current ambulance crew a brake from running 15+ calls a shift on some days. 'badapple' I am glade you are happy with what you get from Hall. I am not happy that I may have to wait 30 minutes for an ambulance, then get charged $5,000+ for it. Why would you not want a 2nd full time ambulance in town anyway?

Apr 19, 2007 at 03:04 PM : This is only a guess,...

This is only a guess, but I wouldn't be surprised if Hall has tried or at least thought about taking over those five small ambulance companies. Ask anyone that used to work for Golden Empire Ambulance in Bakersfield. Look what happened to Liberty Ambulance when they tried to "share" the business in Bakersfield awhile back. Can anyone say MONOPOLY. This isn't rocket science. Either we can get a second fulltime paramedic ambulance here or at least firefighter/paramedics or both. Somones life could depend on it.

Apr 19, 2007 at 04:04 PM : Maybe we need to start...

Maybe we need to start thinking "outside of the box" and consider having our OWN Ambulance Service. Frankly, I don't know what that means but maybe the City could be involved! Does anyone here have any ideas or experience in this? What would we need to do/buy and what would it cost, and where would we get the money to pay for it?

We might just end up outfoxing Mr. Hall!!!

Jim Richards

Apr 19, 2007 at 05:04 PM : My personal opinion is...

My personal opinion is possibly getting firefighter paramedics. Again, Kern is one of the FEW fire departments that does not provide this service. It's not new. California City and a host of other fire departments up and down the state do. I read a few weeks back in the Californian that Hall is possibly worth millions, why can't he do the right thing and add a second ambulance to the Tehachapi area. As Medicone stated, maybe if he payed more than minimum wage like pay, he could keep employees and add that second ambulance that he has been promising for a couple of years. If not maybe lets have the county fire dept provide paramedic services.

Apr 19, 2007 at 10:04 PM : Well, Yes, Hall needs...

Well,

Yes, Hall needs a second ambulance in Tehachapi. I presume by what there PR guy says that their new station is going to be a real station with beds/kitchen/bathroom and even a EMT and a Paramedic (No Ambulance Driver!!!) in it!!! Sorry, but there is no street corner posting in Tehachapi. Land is not cheap and no matter how much money Harvey has it still makes good business sense to make a good business deal on land. Maybe some of the whiners on here could help Hall with their land acquisition to help expedite there station building. It'll probably be here a lot faster than the new hospital they keep promising. Am I a transplant. No! Been in the area for over 30 years! Good Ol Boy from Kern County! I say if you don't like it, then you know the way out from where ya came from. All this talk about KCFD Paramedics is fine. Paramedic Assessment Engines are a good idea. That is what Cal City has. Bakersfield City now has Paramedics but only during things like HazMats and such do they do there Medic stuff. I'm sure KCFD is looking into it but let them build up there staffing at all the stations first. Everything takes time and Rome wasn't built in a day. I know for sure that there are days Hall crews can run 3-4-5 calls a day at CCI, but there are days when they run NOT ONE! I know there are days they can run 3-4-5 transfers out of glorious Tehachapi Hospital and days when they run NOT ONE. EMS is dictated by us the citizens and who calls 911. Not by Harvey Hall, KCFD, KCEMS, or Don Maben. I know people call 911 at 2 in the morning because they have a ingrown toenail and they want to go to the ER. What a waste!! Why don't people get educated on what ambulances are for and that way maybe we will have our ambulance more times than one from Mojave. Also it doesn't take 1.5 hours to get here from Mojave or Arvin. I'll say more later but my wife needs me.Have a nice day.

Apr 19, 2007 at 11:04 PM : Has anyone taken the...

Has anyone taken the time to review the contract for the ambulance service? I have many years experience with government contracts and you can not always blame the vendor. What are the requirements of the contract? What are the "acceptable levels of performance"? If they are meeting the requirements, you need to go beat on the agency that issued the contract so changes can be negotiated and the contract amended.

When you move to an area, look into the EMS situation. Don't move to an area that is 15 miles from the nearest responder then complain that there aren't services. It is not as though they took the service from you, you chose to live there.

and another thing... EMT's do not make a high wage anywhere, it is not just Hall's. I would also bet that most of the public contracts carry a prevailing wage requirement.

Apr 20, 2007 at 01:04 PM : Trucker 1 Having a...

Trucker 1

Having a second ambulance is not too much to ask defiantly not "building Rome", lets bring it back to reality a bit..

Land prices? have you heard of rentals thats what most business does. Quit whining? good one!

Apr 20, 2007 at 05:04 PM : Anonymous...

Anonymous - 1. I am not sure what the 1st sentence is supposed to say or mean, please proof read you rants before you hide behind the "anonymous" curtain. 2. Renting is rarely a wise business decision, and anyone with a little financial education knows this.

For those of you who have issues with Harvey Hall being "worth millions" let me explain a couple things. Being worth millions does not mean there is cash laying around to throw at ambulances just to shut up a few whiners in Tehachapi. Hall's is a business, in business to make money (profit). Profit is not bad and successful business owners are not evil. They look at the performance requirements and determine how to accomplish the mission and maximize profits. In a situation where most days have little demand for ambulance service you figure out how to cover the holes on those few days with a larger demand for ambulance service.

Apr 20, 2007 at 07:04 PM : Hall Ambulance was...

Hall Ambulance was talking about a Golden Hills station and the need for one way back in 1994 when I worked for them. People it is not going to happen. 'Red' Hall is not making car parts they are running 911 calls. I don't think 30 minutes to Bear Valley is a good "requirement". I also don't think having to wait for an ambulance from out of town 72 times a year is a good thing.

Apr 20, 2007 at 07:04 PM : Change the...

Change the "requirement" or move into city limits. That is what you have to accept when we (including my family) choose to live out in the hills. At my family's ranch in Northern Arizona we had an emergency when a firearm malfunctioned and my father was shot. KNOWING we were in the country, we called 911, began first aid, and headed towards the hospital. We provided our information to the dispatcher and when we saw the ambulance we pulled over and let them take over from there. We KNEW the ambulance was coming from 20 miles out and we KNEW it would take some time. We did not BLAME anyone, this is the way it is in the country. Accept it, change it, or move into town...

BVS & SS pay for Police Departments, do they have the option to fund other EMS support?

Apr 20, 2007 at 08:04 PM : I live in the City,...

I live in the City, not out in the hills. 72 times last year Hall didn't make his time requirement. ( by his numbers) He is over working his local crews. We want a 2nd ambulance. Towns in Kern County that have 25% less residents then Tehachapi have more then one ambulance.

Apr 20, 2007 at 08:04 PM : BVS and Stallion...

BVS and Stallion Springs are no longer the woods/ hills/ sticks. They have the same level of care coming that the rest of us have. They pay the same in taxes, if a private company can't do it let someone else do it.

Apr 20, 2007 at 08:04 PM : Wow, The county will...

Wow,

The county will not let another ambulance service come into town or anywhere in the county unless that "Service" can prove the existing one (IE. Hall Ambulance, Liberty, Care, Delano or Kern) are not providing service according to the "Kern County EMS Exclusive Operating Agreement" in their assigned response areas. All of you all that want another service need to contact KC EMS and get a copy of this EOA or go online on there website and get a copy of it. All Ambulance Services including Hall are governed by California Code of Regulations/EMSA - Title 22 and by their respective County EMS Departments. They set the rules by what Hall and others go by. According to Title 22, Mayor Hall does not have a "Conflict of Interest" with the City of Bakersfield. Why do we all care about that anyways. We care about Tehachapi and the need for a 2nd 24 hour ambulance. Anonymous I was merely stating that it takes time to do things and getting property takes time. You just cant rent just any pice of property and make it a ambulance station. It has to be zoned properly. Hall has been in business since 1971 and maybe he wants to get out of the rental business and own his own stations!! I agree with Shane and the 30 minutes to Bear Valley is way to long. But that is a county thing. Blame the county for that requirement and not Hall. Red- I understand about "Contracts". Hall has an obligation to abide by the rules of the county and state and if they dont meet those then they lose response areas. Until they dont meet those then Tehachapi and Kern County has Hall. Beleive me I want more ambulance coverage. I am getting up there in age and who knows when the big one might hit me and I dont want an ambulance from Mojave or Arvin. I want one of the good ol Tehachapi Crews! And no I am not moving from here to have more coverage. I'll deal with what I have. Jimr- let me tell you that the prisoners do get better care than we do already. And Tehachapi Hospital, well lets just say we need a real hospital to transport ill and hurt people to, and local doctors that care for their pt and not just refill a pain med prescription in the office every month. Have a nice night ya'll. Im going to bed. Us old folk need our sleep.

Apr 20, 2007 at 09:04 PM : Trucker, I was looking...

Trucker, I was looking that up, thanks for the post.

This was taken from the KC web site: http://www.co.kern.ca.us/ems/about.asp

In Kern County the Board of Supervisors designated the EMS Department as the Local EMS Agency. The Kern County Ambulance Ordinance, which governs the majority of the prehospital system in the County, was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in November 1990, and became effective on February 28, 1991. As a result of this ordinance and the subsequent regulations, the EMS System in Kern County became more structured and included, for the first time, measurable standards for the response of paramedic level of care to the citizens of Kern County during an emergency.

This is where the focus needs to be, not on the provider themselves. Understand that I am not defending Hall, but I have been on the performing end of many poorly written contracts. Everyone is quick to hang the contractor for performing up to the contract requirements when they are unaware of the details. Often what happens is the agency will loosen the requirement to save some money. When the requirements are tough, the contractor will bid to meet that requirement, blowing the budget. When the agency comes to the contractors and asks, "how can we save money here?" the contractors is gets stuck in a tug of war match until a "acceptable" level meets budget constraints.

Get on the state and county and get the standards noted in red above fixed!

Apr 21, 2007 at 01:04 PM : I have to agree with...

I have to agree with everyone we do need another full time ambulance in Tehachapi maybe even two. For those 6% of the calls that do not meet the standards could possibly result in the loss of a life. And it seems to me that there should be some law out there that has certain requirements for amount of population and how many ambulances.

I am currently staying with my Mother who is terminally ill and I cannot imagine waiting 30 minutes for help to arrive, if something happened while waiting that long then watch out because I would be taking whoever involved to court. There is no excuse whatsoever for anyone to have to wait that long!!

Apr 21, 2007 at 11:04 PM : It is amazing that...

It is amazing that ANYONE can justify the performance of our ambulance provider. Hall's Ambulance service is negligent. Period.

I don't care want the "standards" are. When my loved one is dying, and timely care does not arrive because it wasn't profitable to provide a timely service - well, under other circumstances, Hall would be prosecuted for murder.

Apr 22, 2007 at 10:04 PM : Lori, a little info...

Lori, a little info for you as I believe you live in Stallion Springs. A couple of months ago, the fire department responded to a request for medical assistance at a residence in Stallion. They had a very sick and frail woman who needed transport to the hospital. They were told that the ambulance was coming from Mojave ( the Tehachapi ambulance was out on another call and their so called 2nd ambulance didn't come on until 9:00 am) (so much for Corums statement about calling back local personnel to staff an ambulance when needed). The Fire Department can only do so much. The residents of Stallion springs and Bear Valley need to contact Hall's and demand a 2nd ambulance and if they don't do it they need to contact Maben's office and demand that he do something.

Apr 23, 2007 at 12:04 PM : I just saw an accident...

I just saw an accident in a semi-rural area of Bakersfield on the news. It looked to have had at least four Halls ambulances and a supervisor on scene. Hopefully it will not take a death or serious injury to get another ambulance or firefighter paramedics up here. If this is a county issue, where is our good Supervisor Maben at during this? Sounds like a good photo-op..

Apr 25, 2007 at 11:04 AM : does anyone remeber...

does anyone remeber the story a year or so ago that quoted halls as saying he had a 100% reponse complyance? how come with 2 ambulances he has lost 6%?

i think its ovious hes lying to us.

editer can you please post the original story to back me up, or please correct me if im wrong.

Apr 25, 2007 at 02:04 PM : I'm sorry...

I'm sorry queenofthehill but I was unable to find any Tehachapi News story to support your claim.

Apr 25, 2007 at 02:04 PM : One issue that Halls...

One issue that Halls and the county have danced around is that the overuse of air ambulance services has helped to alleviate a large portion of their work load - at a HUGE cost to the patient and insurance companies. That's the only reason they've been able to get away with so little staffing, because so far, most of the local major wrecks and incidents have only involved a relatively low number of victims. What if we had a major pile up on 58? Or a natural disaster?
Air ambulance contracts are being renogotiated as we speak because Hall's competitor said they don't have to publicly post accurate prices and they can charge what they want unless under contract. So Halls will be increasing their rates to match Mercy's.

Also, part of the reason the fire departments want more paramedics is so they can get more pay - they still can't transport anyone they treat and they don't have the same life support equipment that ambulances do. So even if the fire guys are there to help resussitate you, they may not be able to keep you alive while you're still waiting for that ambulance to arrive.

Apr 25, 2007 at 05:04 PM : Anonymouse- Your last...

Anonymouse- Your last paragraph is misstated. The fire department wants more paramedics so that patient care can be improved it has nothing to do with pay as their is no pay incentive for paramedics. Your statement about not having the equipment is partially true and that is due in part to Harvey Hall. He has fought all attempts to train firefighters as paramedics. Why- It cuts into his profit margin. It has nothing to do with patient care - it's all about the bucks.

Apr 27, 2007 at 10:04 PM : Doesnotgetit is...

Doesnotgetit is exactly right. Fire just wants to provide better care as you are waiting for that ambulance from Arvin or Mojave. Your taxes already pay for fire to be there. The law would require them to be trained and equiped just like the amulance company. The air ambulance is used alot more now as it rightfully should. It only seems to be used a lot more because it is, why, because Harvey HALL now owns it....Can we say ELIMINATE the competition?? $$$$

Apr 28, 2007 at 10:04 AM : Let's pay our...

Let's pay our fire department more money. What's wrong with that?

Where would we get the extra bucks? I say we cut the wages of city hall employees every time they 1) miss a deadline, 2) fix something that isn't fixed correctly and spend our money to fix it again, 3) approve another mini mall in Historic Downtown Tehachapi, 4) take a kick back from Benz (don't you love they way Benz "decorates" along the 58? - which by the way, is part of Historic Downtown Tehachapi) and 5) take a kick back from Hall Ambulance in order to keep them a monopoly.

We'd have all the money we needed - could probably increase the size of our fire department, build another station, even pay for the education to make them all doctors.

I know - we'd have to prove "kick back" those allegations. What would I give to be able to audit the books ...

Apr 28, 2007 at 02:04 PM : I suspect that...

I suspect that "we" are really "they" when it comes down to it. I am gradually succumbing to the potential fact that "humans (any) + government administration = constant level of inefficiency." I hate to say this, but I'm not sure that getting in there ourselves (the proverbial "we") would really change a lot. Communication and involvement can help (when officials are not doing that well). If someone could "fix" the things we write about, wouldn't they already have done that years and years ago (I mean our thoughts have been going on long before computers--we did it via in person and letters)? I suspect there is always going to be this oscillating level of inefficiency and error in judgment (depending on human frailty of those currently involved and level of leadership--or lack thereof), and of course, no one is going to do it the way "I" want it. Just thought I'd offer the thought without being too apathetic. Obviously, we want it to be the best it can be, accepting the fact governmental operations are just not going to be perfect or measure up to the successful part of the profit making sector.

Apr 28, 2007 at 03:04 PM : Thanks for your input,...

Thanks for your input, Active. But it sounds to me like you might belong to the school of "ya' gotta go along ta git along" and I just can't accept that. I think there are enough worthy people left in this world who could actually affect a change...and, a change for the better. I subscribe to the school that says EVERYTHING can always be improved and I admit I am an incorrigible optimist. I believe that WE, The PEOPLE, can start at the grassroots level and move it on "upstairs" to Washington by sending them a message that we will not longer accept their greed and incompetence. If we keep throwing them out over and over until we get people who will truly REPRESENT US, we shall have taken back the roots of our founding fathers and once again, become the great country we were at one time in our history. Why the hell else does everyone in the world want to come here to enjoy our freedoms? And then, even be free to rail AGAINST us once they are here?

I know it's an idealist theory but I won't be badgered into breaking down by our own incompetent 3 Chambers of government in Washington, D.C.

I would encourage you, and everyone else, to start at the local level and attend the City Council meetings. There are 2 people there who's seats are up next year and need to be replaced by people like Stan Beckham, who listens to the people and actually REPRESENTS THEIR views without imparting anything of his own agenda. It begins HERE, and from HERE we need to start sending messages to the County. From THERE, to the State and guess where we can go from there. We CAN, MUST and SHALL make a difference. I hope you will join in this effort because we can use your input and energy and point of view.

Jim Richards

Apr 29, 2007 at 07:04 AM : Let me just say that...

Let me just say that Yes Harvey has a helicopter. He gets it from the same company that owns Mercy Air. Mercy Air covers Tehachapi, and Hall covers Bear Valley unless one of the two are not available which happens alot.

Apr 29, 2007 at 10:04 AM : WOW! I can't...

WOW! I can't believe I got 51 responses to this blog already. I guess local people believe very strongly in this issue.

I was originally asked by ShaneThe Pain to post this blog but don't know whatever happened to him now? Can anyone suggest a definitive affirmative effort we should pursue to address this problem?

Jim Richards

May 1, 2007 at 07:05 PM : Lets get all the...

Lets get all the players together. Fire dept, EMS., Harvey Halls, maybe even our supervisor(photo op :+) and try and figure something out...

May 2, 2007 at 07:05 AM : Yesterday I had to...

Yesterday I had to call an ambulance for my Mother because she was unconsious and was not breathing right. It took the ambulance what seemed like a long time to get here ( Alpine Forest) but it probally was only a matter of a few minutes. The fire department arrived first and they were great.

My problem was with the ambulance driver it was obvious that he was from " out of town " because he became lost and then stopped at the corner and got out and spent some time doing something. I almost got into my vehicle and asked him if he wanted to follow me to the hospital? I was really upset at this and am thankful it was not a matter of life and death.

May 2, 2007 at 09:05 AM : Coolfire suggested...

Coolfire suggested getting together and forming some sort of formal group. Go for it, Coolfire and count me in. Lay out some kind of plan and let's DO something more than just gripe to each other about it!

Jim Richards

May 2, 2007 at 08:05 PM : eekitsaspide...

eekitsaspider, I think I know who you are and if you have a brother, who your brother is(JS?). I believe he used to work for Hall Ambulance in Tehachapi and other places. Am I right"? I am sorry you may have experienced a long response with your mother. I hope she is doing well. I know there is a need for a second ambulance in Tehachapi and from what I hear it is in the works.

Citizens of the Tehachapi area need not just a second ambulance but two stations. One on the West and one on the East. With the growing population and the ever constant call volume increasing( I hear sirens almost all the time) we may need more than just TWO ambulances. We need to have the ambulance company make us a primary concern for another ambulance. Hopefully with enough press and pressure we all can make it happen. The crews up here are worn out half the time due the constant running of calls and transfers out of the place we call a hospital. What can Tehachapi Hospital deal with anyways? A cut finger or a cold? What can the Hall Paramedics do that fire cannot? I know that some uninformed people in the area would like to know. I think it was suggested in another blog around a month ago that Hall hold a community meeting and tell us there plans and maybe attempt to ease our minds. We need more than just a small little clip in the local Paper(Sorry Tehachapi News, You do a great job!). And how many of us have called EMS or Hall to get info? I have. Didnt get much but I did. Have a nice evening.

May 3, 2007 at 03:05 PM : Anonymous the response...

Anonymous the response was probally not really long it just seemed like it. It only seemed like it because I wanted them to hurry up and help her. The fire department arrived and they were AWESOME!!! My problem was that the medics were from out of town and did not know the area. The driver was lost and went the wrong way to get out and then decided to stop at a corner for some unknown reason, which delayed them getting her to the hospital.

But my Mother is doing good and is going to be transferred out of ICU this afternoon into a regular room and hopefully she can come home within a day or two. We are keeping our fingers crossed and once she gets home we are going to start getting Hospice.

And as for my brother working for Hall's I would rather not say yes or no.