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| Resident Concerned About Belvidere Ambulence Services |
ATTENTION RESIDENTS REGARDING YOUR AMBULANCE SERVICE
I am writing this letter with great concern regarding Lifeline Ambulance. I am a resident of Belvidere and have had personal experiences with Lifeline Ambulance. When my son was 3 months old and stopped breathing, they were there. He is now 4 and happy and healthy. Lifeline has also cared for my grandfather when he had difficulties with heart problems, a life threatening blood cot, and even when they brought him home into hospice care. This is why it hits so so close to home. Folks, we have had Lifeline in our Community since 1989. They cover our area for free. Yes for free. They do not charge the residents to cover our area. Most Ambulance services do not do come into a community and cover their area for free. They only charge if you are transported to the hospital of YOUR choice, unless the medical situation is serious and you need to go to the closest hospital. Only because your life is at risk. Otherwise they are willing to accommodate your needs. Lifeline is involved in our community. Covering sport events, school presentations, and festivals. They even offer educational opportunities to the Fire Departments at no charge. Helping our firefighters becoming paramedics to better serve us. Lifeline is on the leading edge of medical advances. They offer a bi-pap system which can assist patients who may be in respiratory distress. Which if not treated can lead to failure, and possibly death. The Bi-Pap machine helps to push air into the lungs and hold them open allowing more oxygen to enter the lungs. This is a critical machine especially for those with chronic breathing problems. Lifeline also has the ability to do 12 lead EKG's which can show the paramedics serious cardiac problems. The paramedics then are able to transmit the results to the Regional Chest Pain Center by a touch of a button. This allows the staff to know what they have coming in and they alert the Cath Lab team of this patient. Meaning when you arrive at the hospital, instead of waiting for further testing in the hospital, you will be ready to go to the operating room. This capability is critical because it gives a patient 20-45 minutes sooner treatment than without this capability. Time is critical when it comes to your heart every minute counts. I know if it is my loved one having the big one, I want a service that can provide this. This system they have has proven to save more lives and the quality of them. Lifeline has a direct relationship with a Level One Trauma Center. Meaning they have access and the experience of dealing with critical cases. Level One Trauma Centers have all the access of important medical care and physicians, without waiting for them to call somebody in.
Superior came to the Committee of the Whole and gave their presentation to our council. They did not present their rates. Only stating it was comparable with medicare. Well after personally calling the Rockford Office they told me their rates for a basic call. It was $870 one way plus 16.50 for mileage. Now a Lifeline Basic call is $270 and $10.00 for mileage. Lifeline rates are based off of medicare reimbursement. Rates do change depending on how much intervention you would need. Seriously though WOW what a difference. They also told me they could not offer their services to me at this time because they did not have the staff. Meaning they can't even staff their Rockford office how are they going to staff the proposed Belvidere Office. They also told me they dispatch by Nextels not a reliable radio system like most companies that service 911 areas. I had Nextel, I know how reliable they are, I no longer have Nextel due to the poor service. How scary to think they rely on Nextel to get an ambulance to your house when your child stops breathing. One thing that really floored me at the meeting was they
spoke of their years of experience amongst their employees. I counted at least 20 employees there. The vice president of Superior stated amongst those employees they had 60 years of experience. Oh my, do the math. 3 years per employee???? You can take several Lifeline employees and only have 4 or 5 with that combined experience. Almost all of Lifeline employees have at least 5 years experience in the medical field. They have many with 15 years plus experience. Do you know that the Belvidere Fire Department came to the meeting to show support for Lifeline? Almost half of their department came. Driving as far as Clinton Wisconsin to show support. On and off duty personal came also. Metro Ambulance from Rockford was there to show support for Lifeline. Doesn't this tell us something??? Lifeline has great working relationships with all emergency departments in Boone County. Each department would tell you this. Lifeline has a proven reputation in this community.
Every ambulance service is not the same. Most people do not think twice about it. An ambulance service is an ambulance service right? WRONG! When you are in that serious motor vehicle collision, your child stops breathing, or your husband has that heart attack and stops breathing who do you want showing up at your door? Think hard about this. You want experience with cutting edge technology!!! You want a company that knows the area and can get to you quickly. You want paramedics who work well with other responders to the scene. Team work makes a big difference!! Hopefully you will never have to use 911 but if you do, you want to know you are getting the best! Do not take this or a life for grant it! It could be yours or your loved one someday!!
Although you may think what can you do?? You can make a difference in this decision. Call your alderman, voice your concern. Speak to others in the community. Most citizens were unaware of this happening. Why didn't our mayor make this community aware of this possible change? Maybe he just doesn't think he will ever be in the position to need serious life support from a paramedic. I can tell you if he did and Lifeline was not the one to show up at his door, does he want to question his decision at such a life threatening moment? Be present at the next council meeting December 10th at 6pm. Let's stand together and support OSF Lifeline Ambulance. We stand to loose so much if our leaders vote Superior into our community in any way.
Thank you for your concern from very concerned residents
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