Antioch Rescue Squad Furthers Its Commitment to Providing Excellent Emergency Medical Care
New plan allows Squad to continue serving Antioch residents
Antioch, IL, October 21, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Antioch Rescue Squad, a non-profit corporation comprised solely of dedicated volunteers and contract workers, has taken a proactive approach to address the preliminary results of an Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) investigation that began this spring. Through the comprehensive integration of new policies, amended by-laws, and procedural systems, the Antioch Rescue Squad is well-positioned to continue providing residents of the Antioch community with the highest-quality medical care and treatment.
“We have worked tirelessly to implement systems by which our devoted volunteers will be held to the highest standards of care and professionalism,” said Wayne Sobczak, chief of the Antioch Rescue Squad. “Our rescue squad is comprised of caring members of our community who choose to give back by volunteering their time and expertise to help those in need. We are committed to ensuring that the residents of Antioch continue receiving unsurpassed EMS services with the utmost care and respect.”
As part of its commitment to serving the community, in August, the Antioch Rescue Squad entered into a contractual agreement with the Village of Antioch. Through the contract, the Squad is licensed to provide emergency medical and rescue services for community members. As Sobczak explains, “By establishing a collaborative relationship between our squad, the Antioch Fire Department and the Village, we are creating a system of checks and balances in which open communication helps us work together to fully utilize all our available resources to provide our residents with unparalleled medical care.”
The Antioch Rescue Squad’s new plan includes detailed procedures to prevent the unauthorized use of medication and IV supplies. Systems have been established to track the acquisition and use of all medication and supplies, including maintaining regular inventory records and creating a secure storage facility. Within the next month, the Antioch Rescue Squad will also implement a state-of-the-art bar code system to track its inventory. The bar code system provides an added level of security, as each medication and IV supply is tagged with an individual bar code that must be scanned prior to use.
In addition to its existing Whistleblower and Anti-Discrimination Policies, Antioch Rescue Squad has implemented several revised policies, including a new Drug and Alcohol-Free Policy. The Squad has also engaged a third-party consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive review of its personnel and operational policies and procedures, and provide recommendations for improvements. The firm will also provide mandatory “best practices” training for all Squad members.
Finally, to provide independent and objective oversight of the Antioch Rescue Squad, amended by-laws have been drafted which will implement important changes in the structure of the Squad’s Board of Directors. The proposed by-laws call for a Board consisting of seven individuals elected by the general membership, including the chief, deputy chief and two assistant chiefs. The Board will also include three people who will be completely independent of the Squad. These independent directors will be wellrespected members of the community with extensive leadership, business and/or medical experience. They will hold the positions of president, treasurer and secretary. The Board will hold a special meeting in early October during which members will vote to approve the amended by-laws. If approved, elections for all seven director positions will take place approximately thirty days later.
About the Antioch Rescue Squad:
The Antioch Rescue Squad serves as the sole provider of 911 ambulance service to the community of Antioch, Ill. Since 1940, the organization has derived its operating budget from donations and memorials and continues to purchase all of its own equipment, vehicles and supplies. Volunteers of the Antioch Rescue Squad are committed to providing superior emergency medical services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“We have worked tirelessly to implement systems by which our devoted volunteers will be held to the highest standards of care and professionalism,” said Wayne Sobczak, chief of the Antioch Rescue Squad. “Our rescue squad is comprised of caring members of our community who choose to give back by volunteering their time and expertise to help those in need. We are committed to ensuring that the residents of Antioch continue receiving unsurpassed EMS services with the utmost care and respect.”
As part of its commitment to serving the community, in August, the Antioch Rescue Squad entered into a contractual agreement with the Village of Antioch. Through the contract, the Squad is licensed to provide emergency medical and rescue services for community members. As Sobczak explains, “By establishing a collaborative relationship between our squad, the Antioch Fire Department and the Village, we are creating a system of checks and balances in which open communication helps us work together to fully utilize all our available resources to provide our residents with unparalleled medical care.”
The Antioch Rescue Squad’s new plan includes detailed procedures to prevent the unauthorized use of medication and IV supplies. Systems have been established to track the acquisition and use of all medication and supplies, including maintaining regular inventory records and creating a secure storage facility. Within the next month, the Antioch Rescue Squad will also implement a state-of-the-art bar code system to track its inventory. The bar code system provides an added level of security, as each medication and IV supply is tagged with an individual bar code that must be scanned prior to use.
In addition to its existing Whistleblower and Anti-Discrimination Policies, Antioch Rescue Squad has implemented several revised policies, including a new Drug and Alcohol-Free Policy. The Squad has also engaged a third-party consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive review of its personnel and operational policies and procedures, and provide recommendations for improvements. The firm will also provide mandatory “best practices” training for all Squad members.
Finally, to provide independent and objective oversight of the Antioch Rescue Squad, amended by-laws have been drafted which will implement important changes in the structure of the Squad’s Board of Directors. The proposed by-laws call for a Board consisting of seven individuals elected by the general membership, including the chief, deputy chief and two assistant chiefs. The Board will also include three people who will be completely independent of the Squad. These independent directors will be wellrespected members of the community with extensive leadership, business and/or medical experience. They will hold the positions of president, treasurer and secretary. The Board will hold a special meeting in early October during which members will vote to approve the amended by-laws. If approved, elections for all seven director positions will take place approximately thirty days later.
About the Antioch Rescue Squad:
The Antioch Rescue Squad serves as the sole provider of 911 ambulance service to the community of Antioch, Ill. Since 1940, the organization has derived its operating budget from donations and memorials and continues to purchase all of its own equipment, vehicles and supplies. Volunteers of the Antioch Rescue Squad are committed to providing superior emergency medical services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Contact
Antioch Rescue Squad
Patrick Goodness
715-254-0711
Patrick Goodness
715-254-0711
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