Forest Park Review from Forest Park, Illinois • Page 9

Area survey on paramedics results in mixed bag FOREST PARK REVIEW, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1977, PAGE 9 AT BAT By Judy Topinka (First of two parts) Paramedic programs have been under discussion In various west suburban communitiesforanum- ber of years now. In this area, only Broadview has adopted such a program, while others have registered comments ranging from total lack of Interest to outright antagonism at the Idea. Forest Park voters will make the decision about It for this community on March 26 when they participate In a referendum seeking to establish and fund a paramedic program here. For Broadview, the program has been well accepted and "has gone far and beyond my expectations for it," according to Fire Chief James Cote who Initiated successful action on It In 1974. Already Broadview has nine paramedics on the fire department staff, with three more schooling to come aboard.

Cote says that although the program was expensive to start and expensive to keep going, the results have been gratifying. "We have a lot of Industry which helps to fund the program," he said, "so assessed valuation rather than population is the wayto look at how cost can be taken care of. The proximity of a hospital, too, does not mean a thing. Although we're three minutes- away from Loyola, that's all it can take to lose a patient in transit without paramedic equipment and personnel. Immediate care In the field makes a difference, and it does provide a patient In much better condition upon arrival at a hospital." Cote said that although cardiac patients are immediately thought to be the ones most to benefit from a paramedic program, o- thers, too, benefit.

He cited diabetics and other trauma cases whose problems can be mitigated before they ever get totheemer- gency room of a hospital. "They arrive in better shape, they have a shorter hospital stay and a better chance of recovery," he said. "Over all, for those communities participating in a paramedic program, the Improved care ratio and lives saved are unbelievable." In other neighboring communities, the feeling for a paramedic program has not been as enthusiastic as that of Broadview. For most, present services are seen as adequate, costs as high as anyone wants them to go at this time, and hospital proximity a positive consideration. Berwyn's Acting Fire Chief Emll Urban said he did "not care for It at all out here because it is not necessary.

It's fine if you live miles away from a hospital, but we're within minutes of MacNeal, Loyola and Loretto. We're not out in the boondocks where a hospital Is some 15 to 20 minutes away. The program Is impractical considering the time of training, the costs, and the other troubles Involved." River Forest Acting Fire Chief Capt. Warren Richardson was more on the fence about the prospect of a paramedic program in that community. He said It should be something left up to the people as they would be the ones to pick up whatever extra costs were involved in establishing and maintaining an expensive program of Its kind.

He said that although there is no beating on the drum in the village for a paramedic program, there have been internal discus- Paramedic program not One does not get Into the paramedic business from scratch cheaply, says Broadview Fire Chief James Cote. Cote is a man who ought to know because his municipality Is the only one in the western suburbs to have instituted a paramedic program with outstanding results. Forest Park will give their opinion on a program such as in Broadview on March 26 when the electorate responds to a referendum seeking the establishment of a paramedic program, here. According to Cote, no breakdown of costs for Broadview Is possible. However, every firefighter who has paramedic certification gets $524 a year over and above his salary.

A paramedic ambulance is no inexpensive Item, either: figure between $26,000 to $28,000. Another $15,000 can be expected to outfit the ambulance with all sorts of sophisticated equipment. Then, another couple of thousands would be nic for radio equipment. Working costs and possible extrication equipment may run another $5,000. Since no one wants to cut back on flrefighting personnel, the chances are that new paramedic personnel would have to be hired as was the case in this district where three more men were put on the force right away.

Now there are nine with three more in training at this time. Since every community Is different, with different numbers of persons on their firefighting forces; different needs; different levels of efficiency; different salary scales, and the like, It is no wonder that the only agreement communities can find amongst themselves in talking about a paramedic program is that it is expensive. DUNNE CARPET STEAM Dedicated to the highest quality Steam Carpet Cleaning available anywherel Only the cleaning wand hose from our cleaning plant enter your home! No noise, odors or moisture exhausted in your home! 3-4 times more cleaning power than most portables, carpets are usually dry in 3-4 hrs. PROTECTOR CUSTOM FURNITURE CLEANING Steam, Shampoo, Dry the method or combination of methods that give the beet remits on each fabric LICiMMO 1 PJ AFH.ICATOH I FREE ESTIMATE 345-0922 WESTCHESTEH sions of Its merits. He said that there were various methods of putting out such a program, via the fire department being just one option.

"I guess the question of the necessity of a paramedic program will always be around as long as there are people with heart attacks, but practically, I can't see It for River Forest at this time as we are already in the midst of belt tightening moves right now." For North Riverside's new Fire Chief Robert Mullln, a paramedic program Is not In the village's Immediate future. In fact, at the end of April, the village will be getting a new module ambulance which Mullln feels will be more than adequate In handling village sick calls. As the village formerly used a police squadrol wagon to pick up the sick for transmission to a hospital, the ambulance, he notes, could be converted Into a paramedic wagon if the time would come to go that route. However, the time Is not nigh. In Maywood, Fire Chief Bruno Barzda says he is not pushing a paramedic program because "It involves lots of money, schooling and personnel and we are very close to our hospitals.

For us at this time, I just can't see it. Sure, it might be a good service but we don't want any more firefighters being taken away from the fire fighting force because we just don't have the manpower to spare." For Oak Park Fire Chief Jack Quilllnan, health delivery care became part and parcel of fire department activity in 1975 when the village's trustees moved those services over from the police department. While all of this was going on, little If any talk regarding a possible paramedic program came to pass. "That does not mean that we have not talked about It ourselves, however. Let's say we're looking at it to see what, if any, benefits such a program can have for us.

Oak Park generally seems to be satisfied with the service it is getting now. One thing for sure, a paramedic program would cost a heckuva lot more money. For now, 1 don't think we will go into a paramedic program because of our currently good service as well as our location which is central to two hospitals on our perifery." However, Quilllnan cautioned, each village and each fire department would and should be considered differently when discussing a proposed paramedic program. The degree of fire protection a town has varies, and what Is acceptable to one may not be necessarily acceptable to another. He warned of possibly comparing apples and oranges, and thus, getting some conclusions which might not be all that relevant.

For Forest Park, the day of reckoning Is March 26 when citizens go to the polls to vote on a referendum creating a paramedic service in the village at increased cost to villagers. So far, the issue seems to be getting an equal amount of advocates and foes. Although Forest Park Fire Chief William Vrtis will not actively campaign in behalf of the issue, he does let It be known that he originally presented the program concept to the village and fully intends to vote for it himself. "My Idea is that if any life can be saved by such a program, it is worthwhile. I think a referendum Is the right way to go about this program.

Give the people a chance to voice their opinions. From my standpoint, the program would help me in carrying out my oath of office in that I promised to save life. Although a paramedic program would be more headache and work for the department, it would be an Important addition to the community." Like most other west suburban fire departments, the Forest Park FD has its Emergency Medical Training (EMT) equipped fire personnel. In effect, this gives firefighters a background at what could be comparable to advanced first aid. "On a regular accident call," he said, "this is generally enough.

But, for a cardiac condition, when life sustaining and support systems are needed, it is not enough. Some 33 per cent more lives can be saved In a community with a paramedic program than In one without such a program." (NEXT WEEK what Loyola Medical Center experts say about the paramedic program, and how one village, Franklin Park, solved its medical service problem by contracting with a private ambulance NEWS OF FOREST PARK? ONLY IN THE REVIEW Man-sized sandwiches Complete luncheons and dinners RICHARD'S TAVERN L- AND Bob BHuman Your Hosts Harlan Olson Expertly mixed cocktails 3 great beers on draft Comfortable, casual atmospbere 7505 Madison St. Foret Park MARCH OF DIMES Nalional Poster Child Robbie Zastavny of Moorestown. winds up lor Ihe pilch Robbie, who was born wilh open spine, is paralyzed Irom the waist down The March ol Dimes is working toward Ihe day when all children can be born free from the threat of birth defects Auditions at O.P. The Oak Park Village Players will hold auditions March 21 and 22 In their Studio Theatre, 441 South Boulevard In Oak Park at 7:30 p.m.

(or "When You Coming Back Red Ryder?" The play is being directed by Laurel Cronln and there are parts for three women and six men. The theatre number Is383- 9829. Thinking of Selling? List your tioini' with Sal LaMantia at La Manila Realty 6727 Hiiust-vi'lt Htrwyn 484-7200 771-7670 Like a good neighbor, State Farm is For help with all your family insurance needs, see: Art Carlson, Jr. 7439J4 Matisoi St. Forest Pirk 366-3779 Slate Firm Insurance Companies Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois.