Delta Junction Administrator Talks About EMS Crisis Which Threatens Schools' Ability To Hold Sporting Events

How Others Do It 

Delta Junction Faces EMS Crisis 

 Delta Junction Faces Insurance, EMT Training, Money Woes, &  Worries About Hosting School Sports Events 

Visitor Center run by the Delta Farm Bureau at Junction of Alcan and Richardson Highways in Delta Junction. (Photo, Country Journal) 

COUNTRY JOURNAL COMMENTARY 

Delta Junction, the next town up on the Richardson from Gakona Junction, is facing many EMS issues that are parallel to those in the Copper River Valley. Unlike the Copper Valley, though, Delta Junction is an actual "city" and lies next to a major U.S. military base, Fort Greely. 

Lori Roberts, city administrator, wrote the following message to the Delta Junction public in the Delta Wind. She has given the Country Journal permission to reprint it. 

Delta Junction City Administrator Talks About Problems Providing EMS In Delta 

SPECIAL TO THE COUNTRY JOURNAL: By Lori Roberts, Delta Junction City Administrator 

 
There have been a number of stories going around about the EMS and Delta Medical Transport. I wanted to inform the community of the actual truth. 

FAKE NEWS… Delta Junction does not need an EMS service… THE TRUTH… in the first 14 days of July, there were 16 emergency calls, and all were transported to Fairbanks.

FAKE NEWS… A volunteer service can be established… THE TRUTH… A new volunteer service will not be covered by insurance, according to Hale and Associates. Insurance companies are moving away from volunteer services because they are a higher liability.

FAKE NEWS… A volunteer service easily can be established with community members… THE TRUTH… The cost of education to become an EMT at UAF Technical College can range anywhere from $6,000 to $28,000 for Alaska residents and $15,000 to $66,000 for non-residents.

FAKE NEWS… Being an EMT will not take up much of your time… THE TRUTH… On average, it takes 5 hours to respond to an emergency call. How many community members can take 5 hours off work to volunteer their time? Thursday there was a car accident with two ambulances out. That would require 4-6 volunteers.

FAKE NEWS… It will only cost $500,000 to run an EMS service… THE TRUTH… Todd McDowell, State of Alaska EMS Manager, confirmed that the cost to run an Advanced Life Support Service like Delta Medical Transport will cost $1.4 million.

FAKE NEWS… Fort Greely will cover EMS services if Delta does not have a service in place… THE TRUTH… After talking with the Garrison at Fort Greely, they will not cover Delta Junction. Their priority is to the installation. Because of their requirements to have an ALS service on Fort Greely, they will also not cover Delta Junction if we are unable to cover Fort Greely with an ALS service.

FAKE NEWS… Other ASAA schools will participate in sporting events in Delta Junction… THE TRUTH… ASAA school sanctioned sports “requires that all athletes from ASAA member schools are provided with sound and consistent medical expertise to enhance the safety of their athletic experience.”

FAKE NEWS… This is the City’s problem… THE TRUTH … This is a Community problem. The “City” is only 1/5 of the population. The community of Delta Junction is coming very close to losing EMS services.

FAKE NEWS… I am healthy and do not need and ambulance service… THE TRUTH … Nobody expects to get hurt. Nobody expects to break a leg, fall off a roof, get into a boating accident, wreck their four-wheeler, get attacked by a moose, or hit a moose on the roadway. The food for thought is “What are you willing to give up by getting rid of EMS services? Are you willing to lose your best friend, family member, yourself or your children? 

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