What's happening to our EMS service?

It's been well over six months since Big Sky gave up service to the outlying area of the county. Then a few months later they discontinued service in the city. The then board of county commissioners said that Idaho law put the responsibility for this service on the county to provide.

An ambulance district was then formed to tax the property owners for the service. At 4 percent this will bring in $1.2 million. Then Dan Mason had the EMS position removed from his job title and his salary reduced by $8,000 and he resigned.

They hired a EMS director at $48,000 per year. According to Marcia Phillips, this was a highly qualified person with a lot of experience and knowledge of the position. For the four-plus months on the job I'd like to know what he has accomplished. It seems like not much. By this time a system should be up and operating. The county was going to take over the service and bought three ambulances to do so. Big Sky could have been contracted by the county under emergency provision until a system was up and running. Their total for both city and county would have been somewhere in the area of $650,000 for a year.

The county could have decided if they wanted to operate the system or put it out for contract. A reimbursement policy could also have been established. This would also reduce the cost. What was put in the Bee about the ordinance with establishing different providers is not in the best interest of the public. One provider is the best and keeps out controversy. I have spent 30 years in the fire service and as an emergency medical technician have been a primary responder. I have also been in areas where there was more than one ambulance company was involved and have seen the problems that can arise. I think what would be the best interest would be to go back to the drawing board get a solid plan and get something going. I hope they will do this for the interest of the public. Also for the best interest of the public, the ambulances should be on the initial response. This saves a lot of time and, if it is seen that they are not needed, they can be turned around. I also want to thank all those who have kept this service up in the meantime.

TOM PETERS

Sandpoint