Boise Fire Fighters Union Announces They
Will Not Participate in EMS Town Hall

(BOISE) – Citing a clear bias, Boise Fire Fighters Local #149 announced today that they will not attend a town hall-style meeting on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) hosted by a local blogger tonight.

“The host for this event has already taken a stand on the issue and therefore cannot serve as an impartial moderator in this debate,” said Greg Womack, President Local 149. “Boise Fire is committed to ensuring the highest quality emergency medical services to all Boise residents and looks forward to working with all involved parties to achieve that goal.”

The Boise Fire Department has provided EMS for more than 70 years. Every combat fire fighter is an emergency medical technician, with select fire fighters certified to provide advanced life support. Most recently, Boise Fire has been studying an integrated EMS system using a joint deployment model with the county to improve response times and reduce costs.

“Our membership is committed to working with the Boise City Council and Boise Fire Department Administration to ensure Boise citizens have the safest, fastest and most cost-effective EMS system possible,” said Aaron Hummel, Vice President for Local 149. “Our focus is, and always will be, to save more lives and create the most efficient system possible through the continuous improvement of Boise Fire’s role in EMS.”

The Fire Fighters have outlined several principles they would like to see addressed through Professional Services Agreement between the City of Boise and Ada County, including:
• Joint Deployment Model
• Scene Management
• Medical Protocols
• Use of Fire Department Facilities

“Our membership believes that the best method to resolve many of the existing issues between Boise Fire and Ada County EMS is to clearly define the expectations of the pre-hospital care transport provider through a Professional Services Agreement,” said Womack. “Addressing issues such as scene management, a joint deployment model and standard written medical protocols are the first steps toward creating a true pre-hospital emergency care system in the City of Boise.”

About Boise Fire Fighters Local #149
Formed in 1918, Boise Fire Fighters Local #149 represents 250 Boise fire fighters. We seek to promote a safe, harmonious and progressive work environment in order to better serve the citizens of Boise whom we have sworn to protect.
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@BG: I’ve spoken with a number of folks who are interested in the subject, but are worried that without more structure, this Town Hall meeting could turn ugly in a hurry. For some members of ACEMS and BFD this is very personal. I’d hate to see the discussion turn into nothing more than a micro-version of the national and nasty health care town halls.

EDITOR NOTE–We certainly share those concerns. I am hoping my 63 years, fat/bald look and 41 years reporting, photographing, advising, and closely observing the system will count for something. Since we have no bikini dancers or booze available, we trust all will conduct themselves like the professionals they are.
We ask that folks don’t cry foul before the game starts.

The leadership of BFD has made it quite plain and clear that this was not a “brainstorming session”, but their plan and goal, and one that (prior to the exposure by the BG and elsewhere) on a fast track to create.

The letters from the mayor, the statements of the Senior BFD leadership, the statements from the line, and the underhanded way this is being PUSHED, and the bid (which is a FORMAL process, not a “what if”) really illustrates this was way beyond the concept stage.

Besides, in all my years in public service, I have never seen a project go to the “bid” stage that wasn’t pretty much approved. What you are talking about is “estimates”, a completely different thing. You dont solicit “Bids” on capital projects unless you are deadly serious about proceeding.

IMHO, any attempt to portray it differently is at best…misleading.

Thats the point!

Everybody take a deep breath and I think you will see this meeting is simply a small mob of conspiracy theroists trying to legitimize thier existance!

EDITOR NOTE– We agree with your view that discussion (brainstorming) is good and it would take up a lot of valuable government time. Hence the GUARDIAN is sponsoring the town hall meeting so those who were elected can get the views of the populace which they would not have otherwise. Hope to see you there so you too can get “educated” and discuss things with the elected officials you trust so much.

And yes, I realize it was a fire based EMS system, but do you really want to spend another 20 post going over the misconceptions caused by that show?

EDITOR NOTE–Truth is, I was making a play off the library exclamation point since the EMERGENCY! meeting will be at the LIBRARY!

Webster thinks and emergency is, “an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action.”

We all know there will be no immediate action taken at this meeting. It is not a commission or city council meeting, so no action can be taken. And, scheduling something for several days in the future smacks of immediacy only to geologists.

Seems to me that if there is an emergency, it is the need to reunite the BG with his or her dictionary.

EDITOR NOTE–The TOPIC is “emergency.” If we were to talk of trains or bikes I would have written TRAIN MEETING or BICYCLE MEETING. Hope to see you there with dictionary in hand. We figure there will be quite a few “no shows” from various government reps.

EDITOR NOTE–We have invited one and all. Hope you are able to make it and offer up some good questions AND answers.