EMS taxing district needed in county

It looks like we are regressing. Back to the time before we had Big Sky Paramedics. Back to the Bonner County Sheriff's department having to respond to medical emergencies to assist where they aren't qualified.

I was happy for Fred Hartman when Big Sky Paramedics purchased his ambulance service. I was apprehensive about Big Sky in how their response would be when needed.

One emergency call to our home and I knew Fred had sold to the right people.

Big Sky has been a godsend to our family, as well as our communities, and their knowledge in medical technology and procedure is of outstanding quality.

I would like to go on to further say that pending August 1,2004 and the commissioners decision on contracting with emergency medical services in our communities, has me in a worrisome state, on how I will be able to acquire proper medical care for my medically challenged husband.

Big Sky is willing to do anything to save this service in our community, even if it means changing to a non-profit organization.

We hope the commissioners will take into consideration of the creation of a tax district in support of medical emergency systems. The commissioners were able to find the emergency funding for the new dispatch center, it should be able to do the same for EMS.

We already have a great emergency medical team set up with Big Sky, why risk millions of dollars in lawsuits versus establishing an emergency contract with Big Sky until a tax district can be established.

Marse Shobe

Sandpoint