For the last couple of days, I’ve been reading a lot about the changes that have happened in Detroit, regarding their responses to EMS Calls.If you want to see a great summary of how it is working, check out RJ Stine’s take on it over at Hybridmedic.
I’m not going to get into my views on tiered responses, and Priority Dispatch.Do I think its the right thing forDetroit?Honestly?I don’t.I think they have bigger problems to solve systemically that has nothing to do with putting more of their leadership on the chopping block, but for me to sit here and bad mouth what they are doing from 500 miles away just isn’t fair, so I am going to reserve my right to share my opinion until things progress a little more.
I realize that I might have been very critical in the months that closed out 2010, and it was because all that I was hearing from Detroit Fire’s hierarchy was excuses and half hearted solutions to problems.Brainstorming, and tossing ideas around the table is one of my favorite things to do, but when you have the ear of the people who can make those changes happen, and you don’t take advantage of it, it just turns to lip service.That’s all that I was hearing from the previous leadership of Detroit Fire: lip service.
I have decided to turn this post into positive words for the new leadership ofDetroit Fire.Why am I applauding them?Because without really saying it, they’ve admitted that there is a problem, and they’ve taken a step towards fixing it.Romewasn’t built in a day, andDetroit’sEMSproblems won’t be fixed overnight, but showing the willingness to change how things are done is a giant step in the right direction.
Now, my advice to them as they progress is to continue to embrace change as an organization.Everything you try might not work the way you intend it to.Don’t get discouraged.Carry on with what works, and learn from the mistakes that are bound to happen.In time, you will find the formula that works perfectly forDetroit, and being fluid and willing to evolve over the next year or two will make that happen a lot quicker than you might think.
Keep moving forward, Detroit Fire.The whole country is watching.