ST. GEORGE – Gold Cross Ambulance has submitted a license application to Utah State Bureau of Emergency Medical Services to provide 911 ambulance services to the City of St. George.
The ambulance company seeks to provide comprehensive 911 emergency medical services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, holidays and weekends.
Gold Cross is licensed by the Utah State Bureau of Emergency Medical Services to operate a full range of paramedic and ambulance services in the State of Utah and currently provides ambulance and emergency medical service and non-medical transportation services throughout Utah.
“Our staff of professionals are trained and certified to meet the anticipated level of care of patients and will provide prompt reliable services and safe transportation, said Mike Moffitt, President of Gold Cross Services. “We look forward to working closely with the City of St George in providing cost effective, efficient and compassionate medical care to the residents of Washington County.”
For over 40 years, Gold Cross Ambulance has provided basic life support, paramedic, critical care, neonatal, 911 services and non-emergency transportation in Salt Lake City, Utah, Uintah and Juab counties.
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Ambulance war: Broken system, dispatch delays? Decision pending
Ambulance war: Contest for territory raises solvency, staffing issues at hearing
Public support for Dixie Ambulance floods hearing
Public hearing to discuss ambulance service in St. George; Dixie Ambulance receives negative audit
Dixie Ambulance Voices its Opinion on Gold Cross’ Application; Gold Cross Says System is Broken
Letter to the Editor: Consider the Cost
Gold Cross Could Replace Dixie Ambulance if Application is Approved
Boo!!! Who cares about them when we have Dixie Ambulance? Thy have been in St. George since 1983. Plus they are a family owned business that live LOCALLY in the St. George area. They are also trained professionals and are amazing at what they do. I hope they are not granted a license for the St. George area. My support is for Dixie Ambulance. My best wishes to the owners of Dixie Ambulance Service. .
Dixie Ambulance is operated by a family that deserves recognition!!! Not only are they the best in St.George they are very quick to respond. A few years ago my mom needed an ambulance and they were at our house super quick and they were very professional. We also know the family that operates this company pretty well and that was a comfort to my mom in her time of need. Please support Dixie Ambulance they deserve it!!!!!!!!!
I sure hope they don’t get it!! I support the local family and business who has worked hard to serve our community since 1983. Please support Dixie Ambulance cause there is NOBODY who deserves it more than they do!!
we already have a highly trained experienced team of paramedics and EMTs providing 911 service to the St George area. Service is already supplied 24 hrs a day seven days a week. Dixie Ambulance Service has been saving lives in southern Utah for a long time. I fail to see anything in this article that Gold Cross will bring to the table that is not already provided for the people of St George by Dixie Ambulance. I am proud to say I work for Dixie Ambulance Service. I wish them the best in their fight to continue to provide quality emergency medical services to the people of southern utah seven days a week,24 hours a day, even on holidays.
WHY WOULD WE WANT TO CHANGE TO GOLD GROSS WHEN I CALL 911 I WANT PEOPLE THAT GO ON 911 CALLS AND NOT JUST HANG OUT TO TAKE PT’S TO THE OTHER CAMPUS. I WANT SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO SAVE LIVES. WHO WOULD YOU WANT IF IT WAS YOUR FAMILY.
This press release states “Our staff of professionals are trained and certified to meet the anticipated level of care of patients and will provide prompt reliable services and safe transportation. We look forward to working closely with the City of St George in providing cost effective, efficient and compassionate medical care to the residents of Washington County.” Dixie Ambulance also provides trained, certified professionals whom are reliable, compassionate and get their patients to the hospital in a safe and efficient manner. And guess what? They too work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, holidays, weekends, and sometimes on their birthday 🙂 Some of the best paramedics and EMT’s in the state work for Dixie Ambulance. As far as being cost effective, the state of Utah sets the ambulance rates for the entire state. Dixie Ambulance is privately owned and has NEVER been subsidized by the tax payer. You only pay for an ambulance if you use one. I find it ironic that our city government is always asking us to shop locally but they will sit back and let the bureau of EMS grant the existing 911 license to a company from northern Utah and put a local business out of business! I can see doing so if there was a need but in this case there is not!!
You state: “Some of the best paramedics and EMT’s in the state work for Dixie Ambulance.” Then why don’t you and the Millers pay them enough to live? Why don’t you offer them a group insurance plan and 401k options? What is the Randall / Miller yearly profit? Why do you loose medics to little Cedar City? Even Beaver Dam offered more to at least 1 previous DAS medic. Is it because your company does not make enough money to pay its people or what????
The cities tells us to shop locally and to put our money into our town. Why would we want to run a business out? Why would we want to make all of the employes lose a job, then hire Salt Lake people? It makes no sense. I do not support Gold Cross getting the 911 License. We have a business that already gives the most adequate service to the town. Dixie Ambulance has trained professions that are meeting above and beyond the needs. Why would we need to have to bring in someone else? WAKE UP ST. GEORGE!!! Support your local businesses!
I agree, Dixie Ambulance is locally owned and a smaller business, which I am in support of. I don’t like big government OR big businesses. St. George City Council, don’t force us to use out of town corporations. I have seen the pain caused in my family by my dad’s clinic being forced to join a bigger medical group, what’s wrong with personal care?!?! I want to KNOW who is checking on me, doing the surgery, etc. and not be a part of some group that only is in it for the money.
Dixie Ambulance represents all that is wrong with St. George. Contrary to all these apologists, their response times are horrible; they are one of the reasons Dixie doesn’t have a trauma center. Say yes to competition and no to the good old boys club.
That sounds like highly biased opinion. Exactly how many emergencies have you been apart of? When was the last time you had to respond to an emergency? Everyone knows you never second guess an operation from an armchair. And as for the accusation of slow response times being the reason for Dixie not having a trauma center…that is utterly ridiculous. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this…but even with lightning fast response times, Trauma Centers take MONEY to build. Nice try though. Maybe you should pay your taxes…that would get you a trauma center much faster.
Obviously you know nothing about Dixie Ambulance! And bashing on their response times Ha they have 3 different ambulances staged in 3 different areas with a paramedic on each truck… One at their station, another in Washington City and one by the hospital. Their response times are supurb! Averages out to about 6 minutes if that, maybe you should know more about something before your start talking Rex. I fully support Dixie Ambulance. They have been around for more than 20 years, they are better qualified than these Gold Cross, a intra facility transfer ambulance who has been kicked out of doing 911’s in a lot of cities. The owner of gold cross is a 2 faced sneaky liar, who wants that here in st George? Not me!! Go Dixie!!!
I meant to put J. Pheonix not Rex
Biased? The comments sounds like they’re all from employees of Dixie Ambulance. I am not familiar with either one of these companies, but I am quite familiar with Southern Utah hospitals and their employees. I hear the complaints whether they be hearsay or not. If there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.
If you are not familiar with either company then how can you say Dixie is “all that is wrong with St. George” and their “response times are horrible?” Just askin”
I’m not any empolee of Dixie Ambulance. But What you don’t see with your eyes, don’t invent with your mouth
First why would you want to bring an outside business into to take money out of St. George? Second, why do you want an ambulance company that is a taxi cab with lights and has no 911 experience? Third, the only reason they are down here trying to illegally take business from Dixie Ambulance is due to the fact that Gold Cross has been kicked out of pretty much every place they go. So tell me why you would want to bring a crooked company into St.George that has the responsibility of the citizens lives?
What would be the point of bringing another ambulance service to a city that already has an existing and highly operative ambulance company? Dixie Ambulance provides great service to this community, why would i be supportive of bringing in a competing company that can’t offer me anything different? The people who own and operate Dixie Ambulance are highly trained, and friendly. That’s pretty hard to beat already. So again, i ask you, why would i WANT to support a company that is not apart of this community and in which i have no trust? Of course, everyone wants to make money, but when it comes to my money, i’ll only give it to people that i trust. And….Golden Cross hasn’t earned mine. So, for me…i’ll stick with Dixie Ambulance. I’m confident that I am not the only one of this opinion.
Why is Gold Cross even looking at St. George in the first place? Could it be that they have lost almost all their 911 coverage in the Salt Lake Valley? What does that say about the company? If they weren’t able to perform in Salt Lake, what make them think they are going to be any better here. St. George is a great place to work. I have been here for nearly 20 years. We don’t need another service when there is one already established.
Conservatives wanting to stifle competition? If Gold Cross fails, so be it. What do you have to worry about? St. George needs to stop acting like small-town Utah.
I am very conservative and all for capitalism. However, each ambulance company in Utah is given a certain geographical area. They also have rates that are regulated by the state of Utah. That means that you can’t just go to another area and try to out bid another ambulance company for their area or charge whatever price you desire. St. George does not have the call volume to support two ambulance services. Nor is there ANY CITY in Utah with two competing 911 ambulance providers. So it’s not just “small town Utah” we are talking about. Anyone can apply for a 911 license but they have to prove there is a need and necessity for a new provider. In this case there is not! BTW DIxie’s average response time is 6.9 minutes. Well under the national average!!! Get your facts accurate.
I made no mention of pricing competition. If Target moves into town and charges the same as Wal-Mart, I will shop at the one offering better products and services.
There is no way golden cross could have better employees or owners then dixie ambulance dixie is a great place with a great staff whoo know what there doing and are reliable! We have a great crew at dixie and therres no need for another one when dixies doing just fine and has been for years
I would totally have to disagree! My husband has worked for both companies and I have seen first hand the difference in how they treat their employees and patients. My vote is for Gold Cross 100%
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Thank you 🙂
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Now that right there is laughable!
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In my experience with both companies Dixie Ambulance is by far the better choice for southern utah!! I have worked with Dixie Ambulance and seen how fast they respond and how much each EMT and Paramedic really care for each and every patient. I have only had experience with the office side of Gold Cross but they were really impersonal and quite rude…really made me not even want to work with them at all and I quit calling them.. If only Dixie Ambulance could expand their horizons to SLC area that would wonderful!
I work at Dixie and consider Shan a friend. He’s a good EMT. Keep this topic civil and don’t character bash.
We do not need another ambulance service. If Gold Cross comes in it could hurt business for a locally owned and operated company. Our population is still not large enough to support 2 such services. Let’s keep our support for Dixie Ambulance.
Clarify they offer 911 service in Salt Lake valley and Uintah county. Every where else is INTETFACILITY only. Even in Salt Lake they have lost most of their 911 service.
I’m becoming inceasingly more defensive as I read some of these comments. First things first. Gold Cross has NO business making attempts to take over the 911 medical response in this area. Their Paramedics are limited to facility transports which gives them NO emergency field experience. They work in a controlled enviornment with stable patients. If I’m injuried I want someone who can treat me not someone to keep me company during the transport. As far as reputation, I challenge any one of you to spend a 24hr shift doing what we do. Spend 24hrs getting yelled at because you had to drive to the patients house and couldn’t teleport, so it took 4 whole minutes to arrive. How about your first call of the day the dreaded “my baby won’t wake up”…..Could YOU handle that? We get pooped on, puked on, bled on and we do it for little money because WE LOVE IT. Gold Cross wants to step in and take away our jobs…..GOOD LUCK.
Last comment to the Monday morning quarterbacks. You may “hear” complaints and rumors. Consider the source. Again if you have medical professionals bad mouthing field medics I challenge them to come on in for an observation shift. Things in the field couldn’t be more different than in a hospital. We don’t have a staff of 30 people to help us, we don’t have a computer to run all our tests, we don’t have a computer to do our medicine math for us. We do it all by our big ol selves. What most people don’t know is we don’t have to call the Dr for help because we are educated on how to diagnose and treat. Your local ER Dr have tested and released us to make medical decisions. We do IVs, breathing tubes, and CPR all in the back of a moving ambulance. We don’t take breaks. We eat and use the bathroom when we get a chance and it’s usually interupted by a call. Dixie has a high level of commitment to this community. It’s a shame that the state would even entertain such an idea.
Lots of Dixie Ambulance employees protecting their jobs with Dixie Ambulance. Personal attacks abound. Perhaps it’s time we had another agency here – whether Gold Cross or another provider, hopefully they’ll pay living wages.
Thanks for stating the obvious. Did you stop and think we are protecting our jobs because we love them and believe in what we do? It boils down to the experience and the need. You wouldn’t have a Dentist treat your cardiac issue. So why would you have a transport medic treat you in an emergency?
My mama always said, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!”
Dixie breaks down all the time. Just saying.
So only wages matter? Not the level of care for the community? Does patient care not matter? When you apply for a job do you not know what they will pay you? When you are offered the job you can either accept or reject the offer right? So employees of Dixie know what they will be making when they accept the job? So then they must do it for the love of EMS! I don’t really care what a plumber gets paid as long as he can fix my leaky pipe. I don’t care what the checker at Walmart makes as long as she doesn’t over charge me and I don’t care what a doctor makes as long as he can cure me. Class envy is what is wrong with our society. I’m sure a lot of employees at Dixie are trying to protect their jobs. Wouldn’t you be Elliemae? No one wants to be put out of business. Gold Cross still stays in business regardless if they get a license in St. George or not. Your LOCAL business on the other hand does not. Doesn’t seem like a hard choice to me.
Sarah – don’t you believe that another company would also have a high level of care for the community? And that they would hire from a pool of qualified applicants in the area? The owners of Dixie Ambulance would be affected – but that’s business and they should have seen it coming.
I do care if my plumber makes a living wage. I don’t doubt that the workers of Dixie Ambulance do their job for the love of EMS, but it’s sad to think that they have to subsist on their wages merely because it’s the only opportunity to work in the field that they love. The owners choose not to provide wages & benefits commensurate with the level of dedication and education of their employees. That’s their choice – but if another company can provide the same level of service, if not better, and pay their employees a living wage plus benefits, I’m all for it.
I stated my opinion and understand if you disagree. Don’t shoot the messenger.
Personally I dont think this is an issue on who has benefits or the better wages. Dixie has been supporting this community for years and has done a great job at it. I personally have used their service and have been very impressed. Their paramedics have true passion for their job and arent in it for the money. I dont believe attacking each other is beneficial, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I feel that Gold Cross coming in and running Dixie out of St George like they previously attempted in Salt Lake is just wrong. It’s not entirely about the employees, it is business. Dixie ambulance is a great business and they serve their community proudly, why take that away? Dixie ambulance holds the heart of EMS and allowing another company to come in and break them down for “business” is unethical. Gold cross has a business already– its in Salt Lake City. Go back to Salt Lake, you arent welcome here!
Elliemae- If the wages mattered so much, why would the Dixie ambulance employees be trying so hard to keep their business. maybe your the only one that cares about the wages because the employees are more concerned about loosing the passion they have for serving their community.
This isnt “Healthy comptetition” this is taking an entire company out of business- a company who would save EVEN YOUR life, Elliemae at your greatest time of need. I am NOT a Dixie Ambulance employee, but I support them 100%!!!!
I’m surprised Dixie Ambulance still has employees working for them with their $7.00 an hour they pay their professional employees. Nice motivation to come to work… Can’t wait to wake up on time to make it to my minimum wage job. I might as well get a job at McDonnalds or Taco Bell. At least I’d get $8-$10 bucks an hour. If a job pays well, there will be better competition applying for that job which in return, the best of the best will get the job and provide the best patient care. On a good note, Dixie Ambulance employees are well trained and know their stuff. I’m not bashing the employees.. it’s the people signing the checks who are cheap. I personally think The City of St.George should step up and have ambulances at every full time Fire Station and not have Gold Cross or Dixie ambulance.. We can call it St.George Ambulance!
How are wages any of your business? We don’t do it just for the money. If you have a check written out to you from Dixie and don’t like it, go be a banker. Otherwise leave this topic alone. Not your business.
Dixie has a lot of great employees. They are good people trying to make a living. I have nothing but good things to say about the company of Dixie Ambulance and the employees they staff. I don’t know about their financial situations but i do know they are experienced. It’s hard NOT to be experienced with such an awesome call volume. Keep up the good work DIXIE!!!
Dixie Ambulance Service crews provide a very high standard of care for their patients. I currently work in a very busy 911 system as a Firefighter/Paramedic. We do not transport, we rely on two transporting agencies. The professionalism and quality of care is not the same as DAS. As a former employee of DAS, I loved and still miss working for the Randall’s and the Miller’s. I read some of the above posts stating that DAS does not care about their employees. I can say that is not true! While I was employed for DAS, my son received a liver transplant. My wife and I were a wreck the whole time due to all the stress. A lot of the stress came from finances. Many of my fellow employees gathered and donated A LOT OF MONEY! The owners of DAS matched the amount penny for penny! I will not say anything bad about Gold Cross, I know nothing about them. DAS service has served the community for 28 years! Lets give them 28 more!
DAS you have my support!!!!
I personally don’t think DAS has anything to worry about, their hard work, skill, and experience will prove to be more dependable than Gold Cross.
isnt dixie ambulance the one that sent me a thousand dollar bill and wanted 15 percent if i did not pay right away?
Their rates are state regulated, they can’t change that, Gold Cross has to charge the exact same amount! And it’s a business, you expect them to just write off your bill? They probably wrote off a million dollars last year with Medicare and Medicaid! What’s the difference if you need surgery you have to pay them up front? Are you going to complain about a bill when your 4 year old son drowned in the pool and they bring him back to life ?!
Whether it’s Gold Cross or Dixie Ambulance your still going to get a bill. If you don’t like the bill you get, which by the way is the same price you pay any where in the state, don’t call for an ambulance next time durning your time of need.
1st off. If the city really cared about the community(which im sure they do) this should be an easy decision NO to gold cross. 2nd. Wow you probably do work at a minimum wage job. Taco bell and mcdonalds pay is so high because they can’t get anyone to work there. Taco bell is always hiring. I bet the employees for those stores are really motivated knowing they are going to do the same thing when they go to work. Flip a burger, make a burrito, here is your shake miss. Yep real motivation and no training. Now going to work at an ambulance business, it’s different everyday. Car wrecks, to broken arms to death. That’s all the
Motivation the workers at Dixie ambulance need regardless of there salary. You mess up on a burger yeah you take it back and get a new one. You mess up on saving a life. You are screwed. No new life for you. And personally I think the joy for working for an ambulance company would be saving someones life. Not making a double cheeseburger. So leave the wages out of the conversation.
But why not use a company that will give you the same thrill and enjoyment while taking good care of their patients for more money? It just makes sense.
“Elliemae- If the wages mattered so much, why would the Dixie ambulance employees be trying so hard to keep their business. maybe your the only one that cares about the wages because the employees are more concerned about loosing the passion they have for serving their community.”
If the employees of Dixie were to lose their passion merely because they worked for a different company, they’re not as dedicated as you purport them to be.
“This isnt “Healthy comptetition” this is taking an entire company out of business- a company who would save EVEN YOUR life, Elliemae at your greatest time of need.”
So, according to your reasoning, you don’t believe that my life would be worth saving merely because I support living wages and benefits? Wow, I’m thankful that you aren’t a Dixie employee.
So many DAS fans! Like I said in the other article if DAS is do great why do so many good medics go to Cedar City and Vegas? EMS is a tuff job with a high burn out rate. Why not provide insurance and a 401k to your workers? I would like someone to publish the qualifications of T. Randall v. Mike Moffitt.
I find it kind of interesting all the bashing back and forth between Gold Cross and Dixie Ambulance. I am not sure if you all are aware, but Gold Cross has to prove that the service that Dixie provides to the St George Area is not up to par and that they could do a much better job ALL AROUND. That is a tough job to do. Most employees that work for Dixie work there as a hobby and not as a career and most are paid a little more than what most of you think so they know that they don’t depend on the money to pay their bills but as play money and use the job as experience. As for benefits, like I said, most employees don’t work there as their only job and can get benefits thru their full time jobs. They do it because they like to help people, which in my opinion, is what Dixie Ambulance Employees are doing. It is about patient care, not about what money you make on shift. If you want to make more money you have to go outside of Utah, we all know that and those people don’t need to work at that business and cause more issues there. I think there are a lot of people that think this business is ran badly, but have you really seen how it is truly ran or have you just heard rumors or negative comments from ex employees or from people who might not really know. I am not an employee of either company, just wanting to comment from an outsiders opinion. I think Dixie Ambulance is doing the best with what they have.
I don’t know much about Gold Cross so I have no comments about them. Do I think its a good idea to push Dixie Ambulance out of the area? Not really but I don’t know what they would be offering in place of them. As far as the employees of these companies making rude comments towards the others, You might want to take a step back and re-read them as if you were a citizen of this city. I really think those comments could be used the wrong way and make the citizens react in the wrong way. Just a thought. Thanks for reading.
Both DAS and GC should do non emergency transport only. The city should run emergency service through the fire department. When my cousin got hit by a drunk driver a few years ago DAS was at the airport for a lifeflight transport.
Alan Dixie has more than one ambulance. On fire taking over, what happens when they have others calls and cannot respond immediately? Will you then suggest that police take over?
To L Musgrave,
I don’t know what your training or experience is, but you have no idea what you are talking about. Gold Cross Paramedics have vast 911 experience. Past and present. Most work 2 jobs at fire departments. As far as patients that are stable. LOL that cracks me up. Most are certified Critical Care Paramedics. Are any of DAS? How many patients have you transported by ground that are on vents, have 5+ pumps? How many have you had to cardiac pace for 200 miles so they arrive at a cath lab alive? How many patients do you transport for life flight because of weather conditions that they can’t fly? Gold Cross “transport” paramedics transport these “stable” patients as you call them every day. Multiple times a day. 911 is the easy part. ABCBSS, repeat. If I were you I’d get educated before making uneducated comments.
I am a Paramedic who works for Gold Cross Ambulance, I started with the company in 1998 as an EMT and was then sent to Paramedic School by Gold Cross who paid for my schooling and my wages while I was gone for nearly 7 months. I can attest that every Medic that works for Gold Cross can handle any emergency that is handed them. I am paid a good wage with great benefits and enjoy the open door policy to talk at any time with anybody in management. The owner of Gold Cross, Gene Moffitt is an honest man who pioneered EMS in the State of Utah. My dispatch center is one of only a few accredited dispatch centers in Utah, and Gold Cross is the ONLY accredited ambulance service in Utah. It bothers me to see comments left by such people as Mr Leavitt (a former Gold Cross employee) who I have had much respect for, claim that we were kicked out of city’s. This is just not the case. Fire Departments have regulated themselves nearly out of jobs as there are very few fires anymore. In Salt Lake County we have over 60 fire stations that are staffed 24/7 365 days a year. The truth is they saw the chance to keep busy as they have few fires per station per year and they thought they could make money on ambulance service. The truth is ambulance service must remain in the private sector as that is the only way to keep the burden off tax payers who will certainly subsidize it. The employees of Gold Cross Ambulance and Dixie Ambulance are some of the best Medics in Utah. All we want is to be medics, we have no interest in the fire service and spend most of our free time preparing to be the best medics we can be. To the residents of St George- you would see no transiction between services. You will see the same medics plus a few new faces but they now will have health insurance, dental insurance and probably for most a pay raise. Gold Cross does not transfer employees as every city has plenty of qualified men and mowen. Remember that ambulance service is regulated and the state even dictates how much you can charge for a band-aid. I know from my time at Gold Cross that response times are of the highest concern and staffing is dictacted to ensure the fastest delievery of the most professional appropriate care possible regardless of a persons race, sex, religious background or ability to pay. I will continue to work proudly for Gold Cross Ambulance and invite anybody with any concerns to ask an employee of Gold Cross when you see them in St George how they like the company they work for. St George can only stand to benefit from the change to Gold Cross Ambulance and I hope to welcome all of Dixie Ambulance current employees to join our team.
Yes Mr. Paramin, I have worked at both companies. I have never supported Fire Departments running EMS. I also agree that they do EMS so that they can constitute having jobs. Plus I feel it hurts the community more than helps. People have to pay taxes to have the people available to respond and then pay when they use the service. Plus, I have always felt that with a Fire based EMS agency that their training is either focused on Fire or EMS and that they lack in the other. I have many friends that work for Gold Cross and they are all good people. People that I would trust with my life, if necessary, and that includes you. I left Gold Cross when they started loosing response area (back when West Valley and Southwest were first starting up). Because I saw where things were going and was not comfortable with what the future held there.
We have a good thing here. Most of us are here full time and work other part time jobs. Very few are what people say “are doing this as a hobby.” We are dedicated to this community and don’t feel that any sort of change is necessary to keep this community safe.
Just ask yourself, what happened to cause the sudden change in 911 response to Salt Lake County in general. That includes Salt Lake City, UFA, etc. Was there something that could have been done to prevent it?
Just re-read this and feel I need to clarify something. This is based on my experience with Salt Lake Valley Fire Departments. Most of whom, I heard say, ” I only became a paramedic for a pay raise” or “I only do EMS because I have to for my job.” Didn’t feel as though they wanted to be there in the first place. IThen I moved back to St. George. In the 7 years I have been down here have never ever heard anyone say these kind of things. When I started working down here, I went from being part of an EMS system to being part of a EMS Team. We work wonderfully together and have a great relationship down here.
Something had to of happened to cause the EMS system to change up there. But, in Washington county, our EMS Team is awesome and a well oiled machine.
Russ I’m not a mud slinger normally and won’t even try to answer the politics involved in Salt Lake County. I know that you know these departments were not going to persue Ambulance Service at any cost and in a sence things are better for it. However they have not done so without putting up a huge danger to the public in the form of understaffing. In Draper where I live we have now only 2 people on each Ambulance and a Captain and a volunteer on the Engine. I can only hope my house doesn’t start on fire while they are on a medical as I will have an Engine with only 2 people respond and will have to wait for more Engines to arrive before I can be helped. Midvale Fire Department will not even exist in just a few days and several Utah County Departments are coming apart as we speak. I don’t know of the politics down there but I do know that Ivins and Leeds are in the Ambulance business and I can only assume that they both are now a subsidized burdeon to tax payers. I wish Dixie was able to keep service in those cities.
This is interesting, and all I have are a bunch of questions that are more rhetorical than anything (some have already been asked). What does GC think it will do better than DAS does? And if DAS really does underpay and/or not provide benefits people want, there’s nobody forcing them to stay there. They knew what was offered when they took the position, and I’m sure they know that if they lived in a metro area they would probably be compensated a little better (so would I, and so would you… regardless of your job). Why did GC lose so much coverage up north? (Please don’t try to answer that, as none of you really know).
I don’t know why people are concerned about passion. When I call 911 I want someone to show up and do their job, whether they’re passionate about it or not. I think we all know people who are passionate about something they suck at, and others who are good at things they’re not passionate about… it’s irrelevant.
I think St George is going through some growing pains, and EMS is just the next thing to get the spotlight. Regardless of your opinion, I think most of you know that GC won’t make it down here; but if they manage a hostile takeover you’ll see the same DAS paramedics riding in a different colored truck providing the same services (and then you’ll probably see GC asking the cities to help cover some expenses, like UFD has done in Salt Lake).
And Russ, next time I need to call 911, I’m just going to skip all this bureaucratic BS and call you directly… do you accept collect calls?
A few facts that the public needs to know about BOTH sides of the argument:
Dixie Ambulance
1. It is true that the state setst the rates for ambulance transports. However, there is a range for those transports and Dixie charges the maximum allowable ammount EVERY time.
2. If you cannot pay your bill, Dixie will take you to small claims court and SUE you to recover those fees.
3. Dixie has been audited by Medicare because of repeated questionable billing practices.
4. The ambulances are maintained by some of the worst mechanics in town. Repeated mechanical problems are reported to the mechanics which are ignored until the emloyees get fed up and take them to the shop of their choice.
5. They rehire employee(s) that THEY have fired for gross policy violations because they have some skill that Dixie owners know they can capitalize on for cheap/free. (i.e. the guy who fixes their radios)
6. They criticize their employees who honestly report violations to the proper authorities.
7. There are no benifits or retirement for emloyees although they have been promised to them for YEARS.
9. Other agencies in the county HATE working with their administration. They are not team players (i.e. Ironman) and have to practically be forced to participate in anything they are not being paid to dollar for.
10. Many of their employess are TRULY caring compassionate individuals, however, they have employees there that are so burned out that they barely even touch their patients, let alone talk to them. Dixie owners refuse to dismiss any employees if they are willing to work for the right price.
Gold Cross
1. Gold Cross is willing to saturate the market with ambulances, however, they have a reputation of doing this to run other companies our of business and then decrease their service once they have the business they want.
2. Gold Cross doesn’t really pay their employees any better than Dixie. (They DO offer benifits and retirement though).
3. Some of their employees are not from the area and not as familiar with addresses as the Dixie employees.
Yes it is true that Dixie has been around since 1983 which also means that it has been ripping off its local patients for 28 years. Everytime you call for an ambulance from Dixie, plan on selling your house to pay for the cost.
Oh, and if its an emergancy that requires immidiate care, just drive yourself to the E.R. its a lot faster than waiting for a Dixie ambulance to arrive.
I say compition is healthy. I am concerned about the quality of some of the paramedics that work for Dixie Ambulance. Recently a family member that was in respiratory distress was taken to the ER. When they arrived the nurse said to the paramedic, “Have you given this COPD patient an albuterol breathing treatment?” The paramedic said, “He doesn’t have COPD he has emphysema.” The nurse then said to the secretary, “Will you please call respiratory to come give this COPD patient a breathing treatment.” Who doesn’t know that emphysema IS COPD? You can watch TV comercials to figure that out!
I am very familar with both agencies. I must say I have been very disappointed with Dixie Ambulance the past several years. I have been very impressed with Gold Cross over the years. (I work with them in the Salt Lake and Provo area). I would have to support Gold Cross at this time. Who says Dixie Ambulance has to go out of business? They could divide the teritory. Put Gold Cross in Washington and I-15 North and let Dixie stay in St. George and I-15 South. Dixie would still have the biggest call volume, but it would be a foot in the door for Gold Cross, let the community see how they like them. The could back each other up.
DAS has some very good paramedics and EMT’s, however they also have some very inadequate paramedics. In every employment you will have good and bad, however with DAS when it is brought to their attention nothing is done. These inadequate (to say it as nice as possible) paramedics continue to work for them. They also rehire paramedics that they once fired because they can’t fill the shifts. They recently rehired a paramedic that was recently arrested for DUI…..really?????? I have brought situations to the attention of GC and immediate action was taken.
There has been mention that DAS stages ambulances thru out the city, this is true during the day, however they are staffed with one paramedic, so when a high acuity call goes out, 2 ambulances have to respond leaving the opposite area of town uncovered. (The state requires that 2 paramedics respond). At night ( after 7pm) they go down to 2 ambulances on duty (stationed at the bunkhouse, not thru-out town) and often has more calls than they can cover. A page goes out to whomever is monitoring the radio in hopes someone will respond from home, who then has to get out of bed drive to the station then respond. So after 7 pm if you live in Washington expect to wait 20 minutes to see an ambulance.
When DAS is called for long distance emergent transports, it can take hours for them to get a crew together, or sometimes not at all. GC has a crew available all the time, and available in minutes.
GC had made their services available to the city and public events free of charge, DAS charges a stand-by fee.
The wages are also an issue. DAS starts their EMT’s out at about $7 / hr GC starts theirs at $12. I have a friend that worked for DAS for 12 years, he started at $5.15/hr and was making $7.50 when he quit. At the time he quit GC was starting EMT’s at $12/hr. GC also offers insurance and other benefits.
I hear enough moaning and groaning from DAS employees I am sure that if GC was allowed the opportunity to respond to 911 calls several of DAS employees would jump at the chance to work for GC and get paid adequately for their skills to do the job they love.
I am sorry, but I truely believe that the bottom $$$$$ line is what is most important to DAS than doing what is right for the patient.
These are pretty inflammatory remarks and should be removed.
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When I had a baby a few years ago it took a LONG time for Dixie Ambulance to show up. I said that I was ready to push and I guess that means “take your time”. When one of their employees did show up in his own car, he sat at my feet and literally gave me the creeps. (I won’t go into graphic details) I have had 6 kids, there is no reason to act the way he did. Later on, I found out that he had had MANY complaints about him from patients and coworkers about his inappropriate behavior with female patients. And yet, he still works for them. I believe this is the one that fixes their radios that MEDICS UNITED mentioned. That is reason enough for me as a citizen to recommend changing companies. Or at least giving us other options instead of being at the mercy of a monopoly.
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Attention Reall yand Intersted, If I were you I would be very careful before you accuse somebody of sexual harrassment. I know all Gold Cross emplyees have background checks before hire and throughout emplyment. So if somebody has done something why did the departments not give up this information when called for verification. Additionally Intersted to say they have “employees like this” as in in several or more than one is certainly a lie. I can understand that this is a very emotionally charged topic but remember that unless Gold Cross can prove that a change in service would benefit the citizens nothing will change. If it does change than most Dixie Emplyees will probably just have a new uniform. However people who choose to make false accusations and mud sling will always just appear to be ignorant angry people whose statements will surely be disreguarded by anybody who reads these posts. It is also obvious that most of the comments left are left by employees of one or the other Companies and that the average citizen could care less who provides service as long as when they need help that they get it in a timely manner by people who are dedicated, educated and compassionate. Both Gold Cross and Dixie Ambulance currently provide this exact care. Lets let the State now decide if Gold Cross has merit in the claims that things can be done better.
I am getting extremely angry by reading these comments. People are acting like high-school kids. Do not bring personal attacks on weight or looks. It makes you look ignorant. That has nothing to do with this article. If you have something to write, write about the business aspects. Also when you say this is a “fact” make sure 100% that it is one first!! This whole thing has to do with patient care, and who has the best care. Dixie Ambulance Service does have great care. I have nothing to say about Gold Cross’s care, because I personally have not used their services. But, I do think it is unethical to have Dixie Ambulance kicked out of St. George, UT for “wages”. Because that seems to be the only point that people bring up. It seems to me, from what I have read, Gold Cross is proposing the same services that Dixie Ambulance already gives St. George. This honestly has nothing to do with wages for the employee’s. If they are okay with what they make, we should all be okay with that too. They know coming into the job, what they will make. All I care about is when I call 911 a dedicated, well trained EMT/Paramedic shows up to my house and will to do everything possible for my family, friends, neighbors, etc.. I think this bashing between Gold Cross and Dixie Ambulance should stop. No one really knows what goes on at both agencies, only what they hear through the grapevine. This is how rumors get started
This is awesome! I’m an unbiased paramedic onlooker with no employment ties to either service. However, I do run 911 and have for years. I also have very dear friends at both services.
This is how I see it…first off…some of you need to learn how to read and write. The ignorance is astounding and will not speak peace to the hearts of your potential patients who may be reading this. Secondly, please please please grow up! It just sounds like a bunch of children arguing about who can run faster, jump higher, or urinate the furthest. It’s hilarious. In one corner we have Dixie Ambulance workers who are the first to talk about their exceptional skills and response times in comparison to the pathetic GC workers. They are quick to jump in front of the bus on behalf of their beloved agency (perhaps because they are so used to being thrown under it by their employers). It’s funny because every single one of you guys has at least thought about leaving and trying to get on with GC where you might actually have a shot at paying your bills:) Some of you may have even applied behind the back of the boss:) You know who you are, and for those of you who tried and failed, don’t worry. If GC shuts down DA, you’re the first people GC is going to look at to hire! So smile!!!
I think there was a comment about DA not taking tax dollars? Do large grants count? I mean, are you saying you get NO “government” money for trucks or anything like that? Hm…I heard otherwise. But if you don’t count THAT tax money, I guess you’re right. It’s always nice when $100K + just pops up out of nowhere. There is no shame in grant $, but don’t lie about getting it just to soften your position. Wow, this is getting better and better.
I love the trash talking about GC medics only being “transfer” medics! This is laughable. I read that they work in a controlled environment with only stable patients. Hm…I’m starting to see how seemingly intelligent people can be brainwashed by their leaders. Most, if not all of these medics have vast 911 experience and are more than capable of handling anything that is thrown at them. Many work multiple EMS jobs as well. “Controlled environment” “stable patients”? I can’t remember the last transfer, ALS or BLS, that I’ve done where the environment was controlled and my pt was guaranteed stable.
I’m all for local business, but when they run a monopoly, abuse their employees, and have no competition, expect a less than mediocre service. If you treat your employees well, they will do their job well. Incentive is everything, and as much as I love EMS, I’m happier at work when I know my family is being taken care of while I’m doing my best to take care of everyone else’s!!! My $0.02 are in.
I think we open our arms to GC and let the chips fall. To have the owners of DA get on here and trash talk speaks volumes about their integrity and character. They are threatened because they are vulnerable and exposed. They are NOT above being questioned or challenged by other services, nobody is. Seems as though they may want to work on their morale, because before you know it, there is going to be a new service in town that pays more, does more, and is more! Then, you’ll have former DA employees eating their words and kissing up while they fill out their GC applications.
I thought that St George Ambulance idea was pretty good too, let’s get them in the mix. Cuz from the sound of things, there is a lack of manliness in the St George EMS world…just sayin…
I’m just kidding…all of that was a joke…I love you guys and wish you all well…
No offense…but if I was dying in St. George…I’d drive myself to the hospital…HAHAHAHA…I’m just playin! Geez, lighten up everyone!!! Get back to work!
Amused onlooker is unbiased! Really?
yeah sounds pretty “‘unbiased” doesn’t it? I think it is interesting how many people will come on here and bash… ….yet they wont sign there name to the post. ANYONE can say and be whom ever they want when they don’t have to own up to what they write.
Perhaps I am wrong, but isn’t Gold Cross the ambulance service that was affiliated with Clayton Hobbs of Mercy Regional Ambulance in Illinois? And I am certain Clayton Hobbs is serving a sentence in a Federal Prison facility in Louisiana for failure to pay state and federal taxes on his employees for multiple years, Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and mail fraud, even his father was convicted and put on probation. He also, as company CEO & President wrote NUMEROUS bad payroll checks to employees multiple times – insufficient funds to be exact. Plus all the local businesses that lost untold amounts of money when the Feds took over the business here in Illinois. Now his CFO VIrginia Sutton is facing the EXACT same issues with the “new” company which took over Mercy Regional, called Cardinal EMS – oh and throw in the fraudalent federal contracts they received and that are now under investigation causing a recent mass lay off of employees.
Shouldn’t common sense guides all of us, even government officials causing them to INVESTIGATE any and all business associates with ties to convicted criminals? Regardless of what a company says as it seeks to gain territory and runs, somebody should INVESTIGATE what is said and promised……not just take their word for how great they are at doing what they do.
If Gold Cross practices the same type of business as Clayton Hobbs, Mercy Regional and Cardinal EMS then St George has my sympathy. The business and dependability of Mercy & Mr Hobbs is checkered and wide spread. Take heed LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP or you will be without EMS service when they either get caught breaking the laws or decide to declare bankruptcy, are closed down by the state (as in Effingham IL) or sneak out closing their business with notice as in Mattoon IL.
Sincerely
Donna Colyer-Bethel, office manager
Willliamson, Saline & Gallatin County Ambulance Services
Southern Illinois
Your information is incorrect and I hope will be retracted, Gold Cross Ambulance was started in Utah and is still under the same ownership as when it was started in 1968. I know of 2 other Gold Cross Ambulances in the US and none of them are connected in any way. I’m sure any elected official will always look into the backgrounf of any company it does business with as I hope you look further into any information that you may post to ensure it is accurate.
This article was provided directly by Gold Cross. We did not add anything. Any information that might be inaccurate can be addressed the company
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I was speaking of the information provided by Donna Bethel directly above my last comment
ah my apologies, thank you