By Suzanne Carlson
The Virgin Islands Daily News, St. Thomas
ST.THOMAS, V.I. — The union representing emergency medical technicians says territory ambulances have been uninsured for at least seven months, but government officials said Thursday that it’s a nonissue because the government is self-insured.
Eugene Irish, vice president of the United Industrial Workers Union of Seafarers International Union, AFL-CIO, said Thursday that there have been lapses in ambulance insurance in the past, usually because of delays in processing paperwork.
However, he said the union became aware Tuesday that territory ambulances have not had registration or insurance since last year.
Irish sent a letter to Health Department Deputy Commissioner of Facilities Juan Figueroa Serville on Wednesday, calling for a response to the union’s concerns.
Serville could not be reached for comment.
Irish said the issue was brought to the attention of management in November 2015.
“To date, no answers have been given yet the EMTs are still being required to drive said ambulances illegally on the streets of the V.I.,” Irish said.
Property and Procurement Commissioner Randolph Bennett said Thursday that the issue arose after an employee who had worked on the mainland said ambulances there carried liability insurance. But Bennett said ambulance services operate differently in various locations, and many are privately owned, which would require liability insurance on ambulances.
In the Virgin Islands, government insurance covers ambulances, so additional liability insurance is superfluous, he said.
Bennett said he received a requisition for insurance on the territory ambulances and denied it because the $5,000 to $10,000 cost was an unnecessary expense. He said he does not know how long ambulances have had liability insurance in the territory or at what cost.
He also received a requisition for insurance on government property from another department, which he declined to name, and denied that as well. In light of the fact that departments have apparently been carrying unnecessary insurance, Bennett said he plans to research the issue to determine whether the practice is widespread.
“My responsibility as commissioner of Property and Procurement is to ensure that government resources are being spent for its intended purpose,” Bennett said.
He also said that vehicle registration would be the responsibility of emergency medical services employees.
Irish said that the union would be willing to bring the matter to court.
“They’re not only putting EMTs at risk, they’re putting the Virgin Islands community at risk,” Irish said. “And for what, $10,000? When this government is known for wasting 10 times that much.”
Irish said that employees have been reporting to work and no job action is planned, but he is unwilling to let employees do anything unsafe or illegal. If the issue is not resolved, Irish said he would instruct emergency medical technicians not to respond to calls in uninsured ambulances.
Bennett said that if that were to happen, it’s the union that’s putting the community at risk, not the government.
“That’s flagrant disregard for their responsibilities. How is it illegal or unsafe to drive a vehicle that’s already insured?” Bennett said.
He also said the issue is “a misunderstanding,” that arose because of confusion around the government’s insurance policies and procedures.
Health Commissioner Michelle Davis issued a news release Thursday, saying she and Bennett are working to ensure emergency medical services staff have a better understanding of existing laws.
“Per the V.I. Code, the Government is self-insured and thus provides protection for any employee driving a government vehicle; under the Tort Claims Act, all EMS employees are immune and bear no liability,” according to the news release.
Irish said that about five years ago, an emergency medical technician was held personally liable for an accident that occurred on duty because he was driving an uninsured ambulance.
“The only way they would not be covered is if they’re out there doing something reckless with the vehicle,” Bennett said. “If you’re doing things within the responsibility of your job and you’re doing it in a safe and efficient manner, then you will not be held liable.”
A bigger issue, Bennett said, is the advanced age and poor condition of most of the territory’s ambulances.
He said it took more than a year to get a $10 million appropriations bill through the Legislature to purchase new ambulances, and he was told that the money would finally be available as of today.
Bennett said the ambulance problem is “at a boiling point,” and he wants to sit down with emergency medical services employees and discuss their options so they can get the best ambulances possible.
“Their biggest concern is that we have so many ambulances that are on the verge of breaking down,” Bennett said. “I am open to bringing them in, we sit at the table and order new ambulances that are really going to be more efficient and effective for the community.”
Copyright 2016 The Virgin Islands Daily News