City to mull EMS options

SANDPOINT — The city is exploring its options for ambulance service within its bounds, a move which is being greeted with dismay by Bonner County officials.

Sandpoint Fire Chief Robert Tyler stopped short of saying what those options could entail when the City Council’s Administrative Committee met on Wednesday.

The city is drafting a request for proposals from emergency medical service providers interested in serving the city. A Bonner County EMS ambulance is stationed at City Hall under a joint operations agreement.

But that agreement is set to expire amid hard feelings on both sides.

Bonner EMS critics contend the system continues to flounder under poor leadership and a lack of accountability. Those critical of Sandpoint Fire claim they have done a poor job holding up their end of the agreement and are only looking after its self-interests.

Tensions mounted when Bonner County moved ahead with plans to move its EMS headquarters from Kootenai to the former Big Sky Paramedics building across from Bonner General Hospital, which threw into question the need for the agreement with Sandpoint Fire.

Then came rumors that Sandpoint Fire was seeking alternatives to Bonner EMS when it comes to emergency transports, such as launching its own service or courting other EMS providers.

“I think this is a very surprising and sad thing to come to pass,” said Dr. Ronald Jenkins, medical director for Bonner EMS.

Jenkins told the committee that the department is at a turning point and moving past the troubles that have plagued the organization in the past. Jenkins also warned that a second EMS system would disrupt the countywide system and pave the way for turf struggles.

Then there’s the issue of ambulance tax district dollars, which the county collects from Sandpoint residents. The tax would remain in place regardless of what the city decides and the county is not obliged to share any of the revenue.

However, the city could pick up the billing revenue for patient transports or even levy its own tax for EMS.

On Tuesday, EMS Chief Rob Wakeley said the county receives as much as $200,000 annually from billing in the city, funding that is used to subsidize areas of the county where call volumes are lower.

Wakeley added that he would submit a service proposal to the city.

City officials emphasized on Wednesday that they are merely gathering information and that the request for proposals does not guarantee anything will change.

“It’s only in our best interest to explore our options,” Tyler said, adding that mutual aid agreements with other agencies would be protected.

Mayor Gretchen Hellar and Councilman Justin Schuck agreed.

“It’s worth taking a look at what’s out there,” Schuck said.

Schweitzer Fire Chief Spencer Newton said the city’s exercise could prove to be either futile or enlightening, but the outcome will remain unknown unless the analysis is done.

“Gathering information? I don’t see a problem with that,” he said.