Public vs Private EMS...is there really a difference?

[GrizzlyBear]

Ok now that I have your attention...let's look at some interesting concepts here.
What is the difference between a FD who takes engine companies out of service to staff "reserve medics" and a Pvt. provider who uses System Status Management?

What is the difference between the attitude of a FF/medic who would rather be "puttin' the wet stuff on the red stuff" than being on "The Box" and a Pvt Provider Medic who is underpaid and overworked?

The argument over Public vs Private is mute.. what matters is the level of service and how it is provided...not who provides it.
We can throw rocks at both and justifiably so...but what is the end result...in both of the above cases....the public (read here the consumer)loses out...that is the real problem

[DK Medic]

I agree with you on the aspect of public vs. private being a matter of personel attitudes. I don't however think that the consumer (public) always loses out. I work for both a County based and private EMS systems. Although the overworked/underpaid part is true, for the most part in both systems the care is excellent. True the private service is more rabid about persuing billing, but then again they have to be. All in all I prefer the county based system. But as you say both have their drawbacks. Just some thoughts.
DK

[GrizzlyBear]

I have worked for both private and public EMS providers also. In reviewing what I had originally written, I did not say the public "always loses." There are a few good systems around. What I was referring to is when the "powers to be" use percentages and other statistical data as their justification to cut back on the number of ambulances and other types of decreases in service. The public will lose.