This message was edited on
June 05, 2007 at
08:16:25 AM by AMP
Just for a comparision here are some rates we have paid over the past couple of years.
The Med Units I and most other racetracks in the Mid South contract with run around $400 to $450 for the first four hours which is a Minimum Fee. That is pretty much standard rate for most the states I have contracted EMT Med Units in.
The contract is for rain or shine at most of the races we produce and ones I work with. That is for a standard Med Unit equipped with up to date medical staff, and supplies. That is the pricing in the OKC at SFS, and at tracks in the Tulsa area. It was slightly higher in McAlester, Oklahoma, Ft Smith, Arkansas and in Tunica, Mississippi.
An ELS - Emergency Life Support equipped unit with Trained Licensed Trauma Medical support personnel on board runs much higher, at Hallett in Jennings, Oklahoma, NPR in Belle Rose, LA and at Texas World Speedway in College Station Texas they run over $1,000 for four hours. Most are $100 to $150 per hour over the initial four hours. That is why most racetracks try to finish within the four hour window. EMT Units I am fa miler with charge the entire hour for anything past the initial four hours. Plus they charge the four hour minimum once they are ordered and arrive on site. Some may allow for cancellations if done 24 hours prior to the event, depends on their contracts. I have always been charged the full amount if the event was rained out after the EMT unit had arrived at the track.
We have in the past used med units on a standby basis, but when they leave the racetrack facility, there is no guarantee they will return, and they do not know how long they will be gone, and you are not guaranteed they will be there at advertised start time. That can be a bad thing when you also hve a curfew in place.
In most small rural areas, the facilities are limited to the number of Med Unit businesses that are licensed in that county to transport patients away from the accident scene. Most can attend to the patient and supply immediate trauma support, but are not authorized or licensed to transport.
Ticket prices, pit and entry fees many times dictate the quality and quantity of trained licensed personnel that are onside. If the participants and fans are willing to pay for the security of having the Med Unit on the grounds, that is typically what it takes to get that done. Many tracks today are operating on 10 to 15 year old pricing for tickets, pit passes and entry fees while the cost of diesel fuel. maintenance, facility personnel and licensed contractors has increased.
Another reason that many racetracks in Oklahoma are no longer sanctioned by racing organizations that requried specific minimum standards in insurance coverage, Med Units and fees for the tracks to operate under their rules and sanctions. Back to what the local market will support and it may be that adding additional costs including sanction fees and requiremnts or Med Units to the formula may increase ticket and fees above what the market is willing to pay.
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OK...Now that I know where Hallett is...that helps! After further investigation, the problem with the EMS service is that the way the medics are scheduled, short weeks make Saturdays an overtime day. There are just a couple of medics willing to work the races...most don't want to. In order for them to work the races, overtime pay must be paid to them. It wouldn't be fair for the few who like watching to have to work every race. The option to work the races begins with the ones who want to volunteer and when no one does, others have to be called in. So...most of the medics on site do not even want to be there. That poses a problem in itsself. I guess if you didn't enjoy racing then it would be a drag! It would be like me going to a ballet recital and not being interested in watching much less not wanting to be there either!
Hopefully all will turn out well for everyone involved. It will just take a little time.
Thanks again for your information and input. It is greatly appreciated!
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