Bill Text: MI HR0020 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to request that Governor Snyder demand a full investigation by the Michigan Department of Community Health's Crime Victims, EMS and Trauma Systems Division into emergency medical services (EMS) response and management in Detroit.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-05 - Referred To Committee On Local Government [HR0020 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2013-HR0020-Introduced.html
Rep. Tlaib offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 20.
A resolution to request that Governor Snyder demand a full investigation by the Michigan Department of Community Health's Crime Victims, EMS and Trauma Systems Division into emergency medical services (EMS) response and management in Detroit.
Whereas, On January 29, 2013, six- and four-year-old brothers had to be transported to the hospital by the Detroit Fire Department's Rescue Squad. Over 15 minutes passed before an EMS ambulance was deployed. Despite the extraordinary efforts of fire personnel to save the lives of these children, the six-year-old boy died from smoke inhalation; and
Whereas, On July 7, 2012, a 15-year-old boy was shot on the southwest side of Detroit and no EMS were available, according to the EMS incident report. The victim had to be carried by his father and placed in the back seat of a Detroit Police Department vehicle to be transported to a nearby hospital. The boy did not survive; and
Whereas, The poor EMS response times in these tragedies are, unfortunately, not isolated incidents. Slow response times are a well-known fact in Detroit; and
Whereas, In situations where life and death hang in the balance and in a modern society, it is unacceptable that lives may be lost because EMS cannot respond quickly enough to emergencies. The problems with EMS response time—whether mismanagement, lack of resources, or other factors—must be identified and addressed before another tragedy occurs. Every incident must be documented, and EMS response times accurately recorded; and
Whereas, The Michigan Legislature has charged the Michigan Department of Community Health with ensuring that EMS provide safe care, treatment, and transportation in response to emergencies. It is imperative that the department exercise its oversight responsibilities to determine remedies and enforce changes to ensure that the residents of Detroit receive timely EMS response and to avoid future tragedies; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we request that Governor Snyder demand a full investigation by the Michigan Department of Community Health's Crime Victims, EMS and Trauma Systems Division into emergency medical services (EMS) response and management in Detroit; and be it further
Resolved, That the results of the investigation be made public and any fraudulent or negligent conduct be referred to Michigan's Attorney General; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health.
