Politically Correct or Factually Accurate - Time Will Tell On Notice Of Changes

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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334-790-1729
Date: Sep 29 2017 10:06 AM

DOTHAN:     Being "politically correct" means you are not telling the public all of the information and/or not being totally honest with them.

The one thing I am not is "politically correct". 

On September 25, 2017 I wrote a article "SAMC STOPS As Medical - Medication Supplier - Medical Director to Dothan Fire Department". On September 27, 2017 WTVY-TV did a article "Dothan Fire Department will now supply its own medicines".  That same day The Dothan Eagle wrote a article "Dothan Fire Department now responsible for stocking its EMS vehicles with medicine, supplies".

My article stated that the actions taken "could have drastic affects to the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Dothan - Houston County and surrounding area". Dothan Fire EMS Captain Sean Gibson said "just a change in responsibilities, and residents should not notice any changes."

Gibson is quoted in the Dothan Eagle as saying " Yes, we made attempts when we were first notified to discuss with Southeast Alabama Medical Center the various partnerships we share. However, that was to no avail, and the Medical Center made their decision".

( NOTE:  I do not question Sean Gibson's honesty, integrity or him in anyway. But I know the people above Sean Gibson's level of authority and how the ball bounces. )

The City of Dothan has been able to get the help of a medical director with Primecare or some other clinic to take over as Medical Director. In the past SAMC provided that Medical Director. It is my understanding that he is going to do it for free.

However, when he realizes he has liability and the time to account for the narcotics, that will possibly change. Because it will take time. The change also affects the ambulances services which are volunteer because they can not pay for the Medical Director. The struggle to keep fuel and operate and now additional costs are on them. So in the end, I predict the medical director for free will not be a long term event for the City of Dothan.

And I stand firm on what I have said, it will affect the health, welfare and safety of the citizens.

Because what Dothan - Houston County has enjoyed with mutual aid from the Advanced Life Support of the Dothan Fire Department, with the additional $ 25,000.00 costs, you will see some changes. I say the $ 25,000.00 cost will increase. And the volunteers can not absorb the costs.

And Dothan can not be expected to provide Advanced Life Support with additional costs for free to the areas outside the city limits of Dothan. Eventually things will change.

EXAMPLE:   The City of Dothan is charging Houston County $ 24,000.00 a year with increase just for the county to place a repeater on their radio antennas. That is the cost just to hang the repeater on the antenna.

So when Dothan is paying for the fire truck, fuel, fire station, electricity, fireman, paramedics, now the medicines and eventually the medical director...do you think they will continue to do so for no charge? Let's see, you now pay a heavy utility deposit, increased water fees, garbage fees, more sales tax...

Do I make sense or am I really crazy and don't know what I am talking about? Do you really think Dothan will absorb these costs and continue to make mutual aid runs for free?

Again, I am not politically correct. Just being realistic.

When you look for the persons responsible, they are:   Chester Sowell, John McDaniel, Mary Mayo, Bruce Wozow, Donavon L. Wewers, Taylor Knight, Don Owens, Lance Shepard, Bob Thenne, Walter Young. They are the "governing body" ( Board of Directors ) of Southeast Alabama Medical Center. So the decision to change it, the final decisions rests with these 13 people.

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