From the Yakima Herald:
But opponents argued a limited program was too innocent sounding and that it was only a matter of time before a full-scale program would start to drive up labor costs. Hines earlier in the meeting admitted he would hire more paramedics if allowed.
Noting that the fire department also wanted to hire a dozen more firefighters if the EMS levy passed, Councilman Bill Lover said he feared a paramedic program would strengthen the firefighters union and lead to nonbinding arbitration that would hit taxpayers in the pocketbook.
“We really need firefighters,” he said, “not paramedics.”
SOAR worked very hard on this issue, getting the facts about fire department expenditures and looking at how other jurisdictions handle aid calls. Members spoke before the City Council and also wrote letters to the council and Chief Hines.