Author Archives : admin

** San Francisco medics, firefighters lobby for firing of chief

** Funeral held for former Texas EMT/paramedic who drowned after flood swept vehicle away

** A ground swell of support is rising amongst San Francisco paramedics and firefighters to persuade the city’s mayor to dismiss Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White. That is the word from KQED (Bryan Goebel/September 25) which said a daily failure to provide timely EMS care to residents is behind the move. According to the news site, some eight EMS/fire organizations have signed a letter requesting Hayes-White’s removal. San Francisco Firefighters Union Local 798 President Tom O’Connor said both fire and prehospital personnel are frustrated over growing response times, since the need for more paramedics, ambulances, and fire trucks has been known for some time. The letter comes after city Supervisor London Breed publicly expressed no confidence in Hayes-White. Breed said in August, for example, there were 374 cases where an ambulance failed to arrive on-scene for 20 minutes. Hayes-White, meanwhile, has said she will not quit because she is working with the mayor to improve matters.

** Funeral services were held Wednesday in Austin for a former EMT who drowned September 18th when her vehicle was swept away in flash flooding. The Bandera Courier (September 25) said Senior Deputy Sheriff Jessica Hollis, 35, was in her police cruiser car at the time. She had worked as a police officer for the past seven years in Travis County. Prior to that, Hollis was employed as an EMT in San Antonio and as a paramedic in Calhoun County. She leaves behind her husband Ricky and son Mason, 12, as well as extended family. Colleagues remembered Hollis as a friendly and caring woman who was competent at her job.