Comments on: Ada EMS Stiffs Fire Departments

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:07:28 +0000

Hopefully someone will come when I need them.

By: Sharon Ullman

Sharon Ullman — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:15:53 +0000

Croaker,

You SHOULD discuss the EMS “station” behind BFD station 21! I have heard some of the stories, but do not recall all of the details so it would be better coming from you. The public really ought to know.

By: Croaker

Croaker — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 06:06:44 +0000

Station 21 is being sold, the details are fuzzy to me, but I guess its being sold out from under the FD for its (considerable) land value.
I have heard its a cruddy station with always something wrong…, but I have only been in it once or twice a year so I cant speak to that.

I wont even discuss the EMS “station” behind it that makes station 21 look like a palace.

By: Just Me

Just Me — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 01:04:59 +0000

Why is everyone upset that Ada County doesn’t want to spend $372K on a new station? Shouldn’t the question be why is Boise Fire spending $744K (actually I believe it’s higher than that)on a new station? Do they really need granite countertops, travertine floors, a 65 inch TV ext. Couldn’t they have wasted your money more efficiently…what’s wrong with the current station 21?

By: Croaker

Croaker — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:17:22 +0000

OK, a couple points…

1- This is not a new or sudden issue. I hear that we were not going to be in the station at least 5-6 months ago. One has to wonder at the timing of such an issue being brought up now, right before the ordinance hearing.

2- The reason why we are not going in on this….as it was explained to me informally…as I recall…was that the FDs wanted over 300K just handed to them, with no input on how it was used, and more importantly….no ownership of the facility..Conceivably we could have payed the 300K and been booted out in a year..or even 10 years later if the station was sold for dollars, Ada county would not get a cent of that back.

That may or may not have been what held up a written agreement…I don’t know as I am not in the “inner circle”…but I have to ask…”Does that sound like a wise use of taxpayers dollars. ”

Can anyone say they would just hand over 300K under these circumstances?
Disclaimer: The above comments are to the best of my recollection from conversations many moons ago…I have no involvement int he specifics, so I make no claim to the accuracy.

By: BoiseCitizen

BoiseCitizen — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:55:56 +0000

Sharon, the reason that ACEMS members are asked to pay, is that the firefighters pay out of their own pockets for cable tv, newspapers, food condiments, coffee, etc. Ada County EMS members are asked to pay $1.00 a Day to use these kind of items. Every firefighter pays 5 to 10 bucks a month for their share. It does not seem to be unreasonable to ask that the medics chip in for what they use.

EDITOR NOTE–And they probably do pay. The original questioner was concerned with M&O of the stations, not food and personal items. The rift is certainly not with the worker bees.

By: Sharon Ullman

Sharon Ullman — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 23:49:13 +0000

Boisean – Ada County EMS does not pay Boise City/Fire for use of the shared facilities. I’ve heard that some Boise firefighters have asked Ada medics to pay a daily fee to watch TV, etc.

Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that the Boise City Council apparently voted to proceed with the plans for the new fire/EMS station with no written agreement from the County for the $372K. That still doesn’t make it right for the County to agree to the joint project and then back out, however.

EDITOR NOTE–Interesting to know WHO at Ada County made the verbal agreement and WHY Boise proceeded with no written deal in hand.

By: boisean

boisean — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 21:27:36 +0000

I hope my post didn’t scare everyone off. I do think it is important for everyone to know if the city is paying the county’s way. I won’t give up. I know someone knows!

By: boisean

boisean — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:10:30 +0000

Let me ask this question. If Ada EMS would have moved into the new fire station, would they help pay for the day to day cost. I am pretty sure that the fire departments get stuck with the utility bills, repair cost, toilet paper, carpet cleaning, etc… on the stations that ems uses now. I know they may have helped in remodel cost(remodeled for there living space), but do they help with the logistics cost of just keeping them running? I don’t know, I am asking. Will someone let me know.

Editor note–Croaker where are you when we need you? Help the guy out.

By: BoiseCitizen

BoiseCitizen — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:03:14 +0000

You haven’t seen nothing yet. Just wait for the commissioners meeting tomorrow. There is an item on the agenda making Ada County EMS the sole dictators of emergency medical management in the county. How sad for the citizens of Ada county that protecting one’s turf is more important than actually getting along and coming up with a solution.