The issues with private services are they are private and looking to make a profit. It’s really that simple. What it equates to is usually lower standards of equipment, lower salaries, higher staff turnover, a lesser standard of care (due to the previous factors and a lack of trust between physicians and paramedics). All privates are not bad, there are some good examples. The best service in the country however is an ALS 3rd service, which is the model ACP was originally formed on (It is fairly different now then at start up). As I have said publicly and privately to FF and Paramedics alike, I would be in favor of a public safety division / metro system and many FF and paramedics have agreed with that. If there is any voting to be done, the citizens should start a grass roots movement to initiate this… it can be done and should be. That is where the cost savings to the taxpayers lie. ACP might be “Heavy” on upper admin, but that’s one department, not five. I believe though that the present way of trying to slide in an ambulance to replace an existing ambulance, is nothing but smoke and mirrors to try and beat the changes underway by the State EMS bureau and nothing more. There is no justification and it’s sad we (all of us) have to fight this battle, whatever our personal motivations may be. City / County government should be more inclusive and open about what they are doing / planning to do and communicate this with the public.

Lisa….You have always responded with well thought out information to all of my questions. You seem to have a lot of experience with both the workings of Fire Departments, Emergency Agencies, and the Federal Government (ie NIMS…something you mentioned in one of your posts to me….lol). Please do not take anything to heart when people respond to your posts….there just appears to be a lot of emotion on the subject….Also, can you comment on BG’s supreme court comment…do you as well agree it is unconstitutional….

can anyone else comment on this issue who may have information….

Thank You

EDITOR NOTE–Without going into too much detail, the law actually has my name on it: “FRAZIER DECISION.” Article VIII, sec. 3 of the constitution says no long term debt without a 2/3 assent of the voters. A purchase is a purchase is a purchase regardless of what you call it. You own it at the end you BOUGHT IT! You can GOOGLE “FRAZIER DECISION IDAHO” in quotes and learn more than you ever wanted to know.

And where did I get this info…from the same website that you listed.

With this much mis inforamtion, it just reaffirms my distrust in the BG.

EDITOR NOTE– Hey Mr. Wrong, the BG specifically offered a disclaimer that we did NOT provide the wage figures and they came from a reader. We offer the forum to everyone–you included. We will stand behind EVERYTHING we post and challenge you to show us a factual error in OUR reporting. If we report it, we have it nailed in advance.

This may come as a shock, but I agree with you, and anyone else, who thinks the underlying motives in this power play are cheap, tawdry, underhanded, and on and on.

Your distaste for the mayor is well documented. I have a similar distaste for the Commissioners, who, in my opinion, comprise a full half of this problem.

That said, as a tax payer, I cannot see the difference between a broken leg riding in a Red Truck and a broken leg riding in a White Truck.

What I want to see is a concrete list of reasons why the Red Team cannot do the White Team’s job just as well.

If the Red Team buys all the White Team’s trucks, paints over the logos, and hires all the White Team’s staff, where is the difference?

How does the patient suffer?

Where is the lack of cohesion?

Where is there a loss of jobs? (Okay, you might have me there. Sounds like you may have burnt some bridges with the Red Team.)

Why should the public care?