I think this is an attempt by Chief Doan to take control of EMS in Ada Couty. Bosie Fire is the largest career fire department in Idaho and one of the few to have “In House” ALS Ambulance Service. Others departments in the state come to mind. Nampa, Caldwell, Twin Falls do not provide als ambulance service but Nampa Fire, like Boise Fire, has Paramdic Engines. Several years ago Nampa Fire went the round with Canyon Co. EMS over who’s paramedics would do patient care, they finally ironed that out.

I don’t see a problem with a Fire Organization providing ALS Transport, in fact I think Idaho Falls Fire and Pocatello Fire Departments are the best since they were the ALS transport leaders in the state back to the 70’s, IFFD had the first Paramedics in the state, Pocatello Fire followed thereafter.

Obviously this situation in Ada County appears to a “Duplication” of services but I think the way Doan is going about it “muddies” the water. Doan wants his own ALS Transport then why just start with bids for ONE (1) ambulance, its like he starting slow to keep under the radar on city costs. I think Doan and Dave’s “Backroom” antics on this situation is a bunch of crap, they’re keeping details quite when they should be upfront with the city councilors and taxpayers.

If Doan wants to start his own als transport service he’s going to run into wals, he just can’t go out and hire 48 qualified paramedics (8 AB’S with 2 PM’s per shift for 3 shifts and 8 is definatley a bare minimum number. Another thought: Whats Doan going to do if after the next election the mayor/council is/are tight with taxes and Doan’s hanging out there with some ambulances and not enough staff to run them?, Political Friendship only lasts so long. Doan could be standing in the cold with his Di…uhh keys to his rigs in hand.

ACEMS sees Boise Fire as a threat to their existence, and funding. I’m not going to take sides as to which agency has the better paramedics. “Oh Sh..” incidents have been reported in posts here, by ACEMS people, ok maybe they did happened but if they did why didn’t those who claim to know about the instances do something to correct them?, ie report the incidents to state ems licencure board (that includes ACEMS Paramedics and local ER Docs).

I think it will take Boise Fire 2 years to get a adequate als transport service. Idaho Falls Fire provides ALS Ambulance Service to a population excess of 100K, with 5 ALS AB’s covering Bonneville County and contract to cover portions of Jefferson and Bingham Counties. IFFD gets money from Bonneville, Bingham and Jefferson counties to provide ALS Transport. Maybe this is what Doan’s future vision is for Boise Fire?.

There are numerous factors for Boise City, Ada County and other cities in Ada County to consider. Elected Officials, Chiefs, Directors are going to have to stake some political and finacial capitol on this dog fight. Stay with the staus quo? or let Boise Fire run the show?. Personally I think Boise Fire is behind the power curve on this, they have a lot to do before going into als transport and they better have their ducks in a tight row before it happens.

In the end I see a new Mayor in Boise, possibly a new Fire Chief, and ACEMS still providing ALS Transport to Ada County and Boise City.

Lisa…do you have any idea about that James might be speaking about, refering to my question # 2 in my previous post…also, what is your take on the “duplication of service” issue I asked about also in my previous post. Thanks again for the info!

It take two to duplicate a service such as ambulance. The city may start it, by adding ambulances where they already existed. However, the county perpetuates the duplication it if they continue a service when it is no longer needed.

Case in point. As Boise and the other cities grow they increase the size of there various police departments. As they do so, the county can reduce the number of sheriffs. Service is maintained and duplication is minimized even though there are overlapping jurisdictions.

I don’t see any reason the same model cannot apply to ambulances with the cities handling urban service if they choose, and the county handling rural service.

For all the vitriol dripping from the posts of affected parties above, I have yet to hear a legitimate management or financial reason against BFD ambulances. People may or may not like the Mayor or the Chief, or BFD or whomever. However, it all boils down to management, and it can be done.

EDITOR NOTE–Not sure, but I doubt if the Sheriff’s patrol division has been reduced due to Boise and Meridian annexations. HE provides coverage to Eagle and Kuna on a contract, but Eagle has deferred payments at present. Everyone who lives in Boise, Meridian, or Garden City also lives in Ada County and they can’t get the sheriff to respond, but they also can’t prohibit him if he wishes to claim the jurisdiction. In short, he needs that city revenue to cover the county–most of which (geographically) has no tax base…same holds true for EMS.

The Oregon Trail Fire was a good example of ICS. BFD, North Ada Fire, Kuna Fire, Eagle, Star, different FD’s in the Treasue Valley, BLM, FS and Private Fire Resources were involved, utlilizing over 40 Engines and Tenders of various types, Type 1 to Type 6.

1. When a Fire department transports people how does it work when all resources are required to handle a situation (example: the Oregan Trail Fire)?

2. Could you please give an example or two of the untruths which have been mentioned on the blog. I would appreciate knowing what may be suspect.

Thank You.

Casual Observer: I appreciate what you are saying and you bring up valid points. Based on Internet resources, I do know starting salaries of the fire departments are more than those of Ada County. I have been trying to gather as much information as I can. When I spoke with representatives at city hall and asked them if taxes would be going up to pay for a fire department ambulance, one women told me no because the fire department would be billing people for services rendered. I just want to make sure…right now, the fire department is funded only through taxes, correct? Granted I know this women was a public rep at city hall and not a Fire Department personnel, howerver it sounds as if they will beginto bill people for services just like the county does. Can anyone shed light on that. Perhaps anyone with Fire Department experience?
One last question….there has been a grwt deal of mention about “duplication of service”. If there is already an existing ambulance, any agency attempting to start their own would be duplicting service…right? What else is involved when people mention “duplication of service”?

Thank You.

If Nemo and Disco typify county emt, I’m rooting for BFD.

Baditudes loose, dudes.

I have to assume that the 911 dispatcher can alert the a BFD ambulance just as easily as they can the current EMT crews.

I have to assume that if the County discontinues one EMT crew for every crew the BFD starts, there will be no duplication of services.

Finally, provided the wages of the BFD-Ambulance crews are the same as the current EMT crews, there will be no tax increase.

Achieving those few things seem simple enough that it begs the question: Why all the drama?

Sounds to me like some EMTers are afraid of losing their cushy gigs. And, just maybe, theirs are gigs that should be lost.

I’m pretty sure AYBASI has no clue what you were describing after reading his post, thats why I didn’t even start to respond to him.

Nemo…If Capt., I mean Chief Doan (have a hard time with Chief), If Doan is going to try to take over ems, even in the city, ONE (1) Ab isn’t going to give him much of a start, why not put out bids for 8 Ab’s. He’s not prepared to start any type of transport, he has no equipment, not nearly enough paramedics. And if the points Discoboy brought up are BFD Para’s and the state ems board gets involved then Doan’s chances of starting als transport will get shot down from jump street.

With all the given facts about starting a als transport service, why isn’t Doan concentrating on other department needs such as adding a 4th FF to engine companies?, start a dedicated heavy rescue company instead of having R7 be crossed-mannned by E7. Doan hired an EMS Chief, from out of state, he should let him run the als trans ball.

I urge the public who don’t want wasteful tax spending and duplication of an ALREADY EXISTING ambulance to call their senators, their counsel-people, the paper, whoever, and let them know NOW.

BRANDON: I don’t see that as Boise Fire turning up their nose and saying, “NO WAY”