Firefighter unions criticize EMT service

Southern Nevada firefighters took aim at a private ambulance service Monday, saying they wanted to "sound the alarm" over the services provided under contract to Clark County, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas residents.

It was the latest salvo in what is turning into a legal battle between American Medical Response and the firefighter unions -- who work together in the field but are now opponents in the legal system.

The recession has put firefighters in the spotlight. A sour economy has cut public revenues, and workers are being asked to take cuts. Because of overtime, firefighters average more than $100,000 in salary annually.

Conmed Healthcare Management, Inc (AMEX:CONM) recently announced that it has signed a full-service agreement with the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, for an initial three-year term with options for two one-year extensions at the City’s option. This contract with a new customer is expected to generate a base level of approximately $17.5 million in revenues for Conmed throughout the term of the contract, with the initial annual rate of approximately $3.5 million. The contract includes a full suite of services for the facility’s inmates including medical, dental, mental health and administrative staffing; pharmacy, laboratory and X-ray services; management of emergency room, hospitalization and other out-of-facility services. Additionally, a full electronic health record system will be implemented. Price increases are based on the Medical Services Consumer Price Index. The total inmate population of the City of Virginia Beach is approximately 1,350. The contract is effective October 1, 2010.

Conmed Healthcare Management, Inc. provides correctional healthcare services to county and municipal detention centers in the United States.

Police agencies across the country are recruiting thousands of civilians for a growing number of duties previously performed by uniformed cops, in an unusual concession to local budget cuts.
The positions — some paid and others volunteer — are transforming every-day citizens into crime-scene investigators, evidence gatherers and photographers in what some analysts suggest is a striking new trend in American policing.

"It's all being driven by the economy and we should expect to see more of it," says University of Pittsburgh law professor David Harris, who analyzes law enforcement practices. "As budgets are squeezed, an increasing number of duties are going to be moved off officers' plates."

The chief opponents of the movement are police union leaders who believe cash-strapped agencies are lowering standards and undermining professionalism in the ranks. In some cases, ]b]the civilian positions circumvent pay and benefit obligations outlined in hard-fought labor contracts, [/b]says Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).