It is about time that we, in the profession start requiring a fundamentally sound, science based, Bachelors degree programs. Our society deserves more than the technician level provider that the IAFF and local fire departments have backed for years. If firefighters really want a feel good story maybe, they should get out there and start shoveling snow and getting groceries for the elderly and stop running around with their capes. It’s about time for a new EMS. This is taking place in Louisville, KY as we speak.

The fire service has “saftied” themselves out of work, thanks to smoke detectors, building codes, etc. Most firefighters join the fire service to ride the big red truck, not work on the “box”. Most large fire based systems require the new employees to work on the ambulance for the first year of two, and the majority see it as punishment or “doing their time” until they can get on a fire truck, where they will run a lot fewer calls a day. Are you sure you want someone who wants to be somewhere else taking care of you or yours?

As far as the bill, I would be willing to bet that everyone who ACP responds to is going to pay their bill. Between the people who can’t pay and the others who don’t, the fine folks with insurance end up paying more. Have you priced 2 Tylenol at the emergency room? EMS is a bargain.

It was certainly short sighted looking back but ACP hasn’t asked for money it didn’t need and still doesn’t to this day. ACP has always taken free stations (some of which have been condemmed by the way) or cohabitated with Fire and chosen not to build million + buildings (Boise station 12 didn’t get federal grants did it?). As for the vote of the people? The voters had union influence to vote against the bond proposal (very close to the number of union members, family and friends) even after the BFD union president stood up in a public hearing and promised his support (what a lie that was) for the bond / vote. Coincidentally not long after that measure failed guess who announced paramedics were coming to dinner with the fire dept?

By the way, a vote with less than 1% turnout isn’t exactly representative of “The people have spoken” so sell that line elesewhere. It’s just who bothered to show up that day. To be quite honest, currently the Fire Dept is interested in providing paramedic service only so they can continue to perpetuate the myth that the public really needs a fire dept and continue to provide union jobs for the “Brethren” in a fraternal manner. Right now you get an Ada County Paramedic at your residence when you call 911. That isn’t a part time paramedic whose been rolling hose, just got their certification before being hired by BFD, went to paramedic class so they could get a fire job…. that’s someone whose been through an advanced preceptorship (min of 4-5 mos with an experienced paramedic) whose sole job is to provide emergency medical care similar to what you would get if a physican were to show up at your house.

Also it’s someone who continues to go through education provided by PRACTICING professional paramedics with a tremendous knowlege base and an involved medical directorate. While the new medics at the Fire depts are nice guys and good meaning at heart, I have no problems saying they have no experience in the medical field and most are a bit scared, rightfully so. If you think that the two groups are equal in skill, knowlege and competency, then ask yourself this… if your child was going into respiratory arrest or your mother, your wife, etc… do you want an Ada County medic showing up or someone in big Red?

If your being honest and KNOW the difference… you won’t answer that question. While I am being honest let me say that I do like most of the Fire fighters out there and get along with them just fine. Individually I like the majority alot. What we have here between EMS and Fire is a political pissing match. I think the best way to solve it would be to create a public service entity inclusive of Paramedics, Law enforcment and Fire protection. That way, Medics can concentrate on medicine, law enforcment stays the same and Fire guys continue to be heros and the public saves a lot of money in the process by eliminating redundant fire admin jobs split across 5 separate fire districts. Let’s see what would happen if “The People” had a chance to vote on that one!

PS: Mr logic is a very “Cute” name. Maybe you could use “batman” next time.

NO means no. You are as bad as the G-BAD boys who are determined to build a convention center no matter how many times they are told no. You sound like a good salesman and you will probably get a “commission” (in the form of a job) if EMS stays afloat.

Perhaps new commissioners will go to the voters with a better plan. Just because you can’t get a loan on a new car doesn’t mean you go out and steal one!

First, a sincere thanks to you and your co-workers for being there in our times of need.

Second, we share a common concern that “… ALL emergency services watch billing/expenditures …” It is my expectation that ALL tax supported organizations, (federal, state, and local) provide service delivery in the most efficient manner possible and that all managers of public funds be “proper stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

Third, thanks for the information about uncollected accounts. Factoring that in gets us to about $ 700. Good progress. The “extra” $ 200 at this point works out to $ 3.6 million a year. More than enough to fund a reserve account.

Folks I know who follow other tax district budgets tell me at least one maintains a 5% reserve in its budget for “contingencies.” That’s on top of the extra thousand(s) here, extra thousand(s) there tucked away in the line items.

I’m not suggesting that EMS is tucking a lot of extra money away in their budget. I’m just curious about the $ 2 million, how it got there, and what it might be used for. I’m not buying into the equipment, buildings, etc. thing for the reserve account. I’m pretty sure that’s cash in the bank – literally – not a balance sheet entry. If it’s for capital expenditures and/or depreciation thats one thing. If it’s for “contingencies” the amount is very high in relation to the overall budget.

Seems we’re still waiting on a non-binding legal opinion about whether a reserve fund is required or allowed but I’m tending toward allowed.

My point is this. EMS management could make a stronger case for the service and the need for additional funding if a breakdown of the $ 900 fee (I realize it may vary by call) was provided to the public. Maybe that has been done and I’m out of the loop. That type of information should be part of the basic budget process. If EMS management can’t easily provide that information to the public, I’d be really skeptical of their budget process. Having the entire EMS budget on the EMS web site would be really nice. After all, the budget is a public document.

I admit to being somewhat skeptical about EMS management because of the “overtime” problem that received a lot of press a number of years ago. Overtime, to a point, can be efficient and a good management tool. But there’s also a point where it’s cheaper to hire more workers than pay overtime. And using overtime to artificially boost take home pay doesn’t sit well with me. Market wages should be paid commensurate with both the skills required for the job and the responsibilities of the job. Overtime gets paid when necessary, not to artificially boost wages.

Lastly, I’d like to hear your comments, and maybe the County Commissioner candidates (Sharon – you reading this?), about why Ada County pays entry level Paramedics about $ 13 per hour to start while paying a LPN for the Sheriff’s Department over $ 16 per hour to start. I got the LPN information today (10/11/06) from the Ada County jobs web site. The Paramedic pay rate comes from the Paramedic web site. It appears pay priorities are a bit screwed up at Ada County.

By the way, I’m a lot more skeptical of the management of some other public agencies.

EDITOR NOTE–The 5% contingency is pretty good and indeed is ALLOWED. There is a trend in some local government to “save up” to get around bond elections which allow the public to vote on long term debt.

Therefore, just because $X is billed you will most likely only get a percentage of that. I honestly don’t know if the % is 60 or 80 or 90, etc. I do know that there was over $3million in uncollected bills/indigent fund/no pay/etc in the past year. I pay taxes too and would like to see ALL emergency services watch billing/expeditures- which certainly includes EMS.

As for the $2million – State law requires a reserve fund for taxing districts. Also, that $2million includes assets such as vehicles, equipment, buildings etc. I wish all of that could go for a 24 hr paramedic unit in Eagle and another unit in Meridian. I think the citizens deserve it. Don’t quote me on how much of a reserve fund is required that would be a better question for the BOCC or EMS Director.

EDITOR NOTE–It is understanding of the GUARDIAN that a reserve fund is ALLOWED rather than required. Glad to hear from a real expert…Sisy could you check I.C. on reserve funds? Idea is to limit reserve fund to preclude overtaxing.