Fire-based EMS is the best option

BCEMS is broken. Wrong from startup in both cost and function.

Private system not good choice either except outlying areas with sparse population.

Have lived in  a city/county transitioned, private to fire based. Ambulances had firefighter/EMT, firefighter/paramedic. Fire engines had firefighters/EMTs, firefighter/paramedic. Response times, costs decreased, quality, training, service, increased.

BECMS — continuous turnover, petty politics/scandals. Sandpoint Fire — no paid firefighter turnover. Sagle Fire, one  — military service.

Sagle, Sandpoint — steady crews provide teamwork/training, competency, morale; BCEMS — never achieved.

With demise of private system, Sagle subsidized by county, three firefighter/advanced EMTs, ambulance; with three three-person, 24/7 crews shown excellent response times, service; BCEMS, unable to achieve.

Sandpoint recently subsidized three EMTs, ambulance. Now three four-person 24/7 crews, three firefighter/advanced EMTs, 1 EMT.  EMS response times decreased 70 percent. Previously Sandpoint Fire continually arrived well before BCEMS, stabilized patient, waited for BCEMS transport.

Functionally, cost-effectively fire-based EMS best for core population, Sandpoint, Sagle, Northside; superior service, firefighter/advanced EMT; firefighter/paramedic for cost of one. County $2.3 million EMS budget can fund three four-person crews, 24/7, related equipment. Sagle, Sandpoint already well on way. BCEMS should be disbanded.

Lease of previous private ambulance facility unjustified and wasteful. Nothing should happen prior to new commissioner taking office. Sandpoint, Sagle doing fine. Current BCEMS location better for Northside until fire based EMS established there.

Phil Poutré

Cocolalla