EMS Staffing Dispute Goes Viral in Clinton Township, MI

A labor dispute over staffing levels and emergency medical services delivered by the Clinton Township Fire Department has the No. 2 man in township government and union leaders accusing each other of not telling the truth.

Now the dispute has gone public.

Clinton Township Deputy Supervisor Dan O’Leary and Clinton Township Fire Fighters Association Local 1381 recently traded allegations on social media posts over how EMS services should be provided to township residents.

The confrontation started when O’Leary posted his response to a Detroit News story outlining changes at the neighboring Sterling Heights Fire Department including categorizing calls that use more EMTs instead of paramedics to respond to some emergencies. He called the changes “innovative.”

In his post, O’Leary, a former elected official in Washington Township, said some communities have relied on a “1970s model” of emergency response, with departments rolling out highly-trained paramedics to respond to calls regardless of their severity. O’Leary maintains this method has resulted in escalating costs.

He feels a more precise call categorization and sending basic life support teams with EMTs instead of advanced life support paramedics could allow fire departments to operate more efficiently while still providing paramedics if the situation called for it.

Without naming any one department, O’Leary wrote “when union leadership realizes this actually stabilizes the situation for their members and is not a threat, residents will be better served.”

The firefighters union in Michigan’s largest township responded Thursday with a social media post of their own accusing O’Leary of “dishonesty” about the controversy.

“Mr. O’Leary is not simply misinformed, he is intentionally lying to the people of Clinton Township and skewing talking points to push a political agenda,” the union said.

Union leaders say they are doing more with less

Local 1381 released a memo stating O’Leary’s claims were inaccurate and said it has tried to work with the fire administration by proposing alternative solutions with recruitment and simplify hiring. Union leaders say those ideas has met with resistance from the fire administration and township leadership.

“Our goal is simple: we wanted to set the record straight about what Mr. O’Leary and some misleading statements he made on social media,” Ron Gnesda, vice president of Clinton Township Firefighters Local 1381, told the Macomb Daily. “We are constantly striving to provide the best care possible for our residents.”

O’Leary did not respond last week to inquiries seeking additional comment.

According to the union, the township has provided Advanced Life Support (ALS) services since 2005, contrary to O’Leary’s assertion that the department is still operating under a decades-old model.

EMTs provided basic life support measures that are more limited in scope compared to ALS, which is more advanced and requires more education and a higher license level. Using paramedics at the scene of emergencies allows them to administer medications and perform advanced lifesaving procedures immediately while waiting for ambulance transport.

According to the union, staffing fire companies with EMTs instead of paramedics is a “direct reduction” in medical care that can be provided at an emergency scene. The memo states as private ambulance response times continue to increase, it is important for firefighters who arrive on the scene first to perform advanced life-saving procedures while waiting for private EMS ambulances to arrive.

That’s why residents in Clinton Township have continued to support having an ALS fire department through voter-approved millages, union officials added.

Gnesda said the department currently handles around 15,800 calls for service, or double the number since ALS was introduced in the township. That’s despite an approximate 20% reduction in suppression staffing and response procedures implemented to reduce non-emergency responses.

The memo goes on to state that by reducing paramedic staffing and using EMT-only responses could result in less medical care being available at emergency scenes, especially as private ambulance response times are on the rise. Union officials say by staffing fire companies with EMTs instead of paramedics “is a direct reduction in medical care that can be provided in the field.”

This is the second time this year the fire department has found itself in the public eye over various issues.

In January, township officials, including O’Leary, made a presentation concerning a budget amendment before the Clinton Township Board of Trustees.

O’Leary and Fire Chief John Gallagher were requesting a $250,000 amendment for overtime costs. Finance director Mary Hein suggested a $200,000 amendment. After a lengthy discussion, the board voted to approve the original request.

Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer says she wasn’t happy to hear about the dissension between the fire union and O’Leary being made public.

“I think both sides should have that conversation in a professional manner rather than in social media,” she said Thursday.

The firefighters also extended their thanks to several township officials including Meltzer, trustees Bruce Wade, Julie Matuzak, and Dan Kress, Treasurer Dr. Mike Ailleo, and state Representative Denise Mentzer for supporting the department.

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