Do the math on ambulance service |
| June 9, 2012 |
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The management of Boundary Volunteer Ambulance
would like county commissioners and taxpayers to
purchase their business and enter into a long
term contract without showing anyone their
books. How can anyone make an informed decision
without knowing the numbers? Commissioners would be remiss in their duties if they blindly write a blank check. BVA attorney stated the numbers are confidential. BVA stated annual costs are $200,000.00 and they bring in $240,000.00. They want a taxpayer guaranteed income of $350,000.00 for year one. With our money BVA will buy land, build a state of the art facility, buy brand spanking new equipment and hire fulltime paid employees. Wonder who those people would be? Would the current hard working volunteers merely be discarded? In order to operate 24/7, a minimum of six employees per day (driver and EMT/Paramedic) for five days. With two days off a week, you'd need another six employees. Then what happens if the ALS transport leaves town for patient transport? Do we hire more employees per shift, per day, so in the event one team leaves town the other covers? So now we need 12 employees per day to cover? Do the math. The rule of thumb is if you want 24/7 coverage, you need, at a minimum 24 employees, not to mention the added support staff. Want a peek at the future budget? Look at the budget for the Sheriff's Department. After reading the minutes for the Commissioners April meeting, Commissioners should put the service out to bid. |
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Rosanne Smith Moyie Springs |