May 5,2009
M.A. (Mel) Tanasse
Save Our American Rights (SOAR)
PO Box 1288
Yakima, WA 98907
Mr. Tanasse,
I received your letter dated April 29, 2009. The City Manager has directed me to respond to your inquiries. I understand that you are confused or unsure as to the reasons for allowing our two Firefighter/Paramedics to be allowed to utilize their life-saving skills on emergency responses. Because most of these have been addressed in previous public presentations throughout the city and in the media as well, over the past year and a half, I will be succinct in my answers. However if you would like further clarification on any matter, even if you would like to meet and discuss them, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Some of the questions were redundant and I took the liberty of combining them.
1. Where is the citizens group or committee that would be advocating that paramedics be added to fire truck?
The Yakima County EMS/Trauma Council, The South Central Washington EMS/Trauma Council and the Governor’s sub-committee on EMS at the State Department of Health all saw the need and approved a “non-transport” (Aid-Car/Engine co.) Paramedic program in the city of Yakima. These committees consist of physicians, nurses, ambulance operators, fire service professionals, elected officials and citizens. In addition, local Doctors and citizens have stated their support through the media and correspondence to the council and the YFD.
2. Why is the Fire Department pushing for paramedics on fire trucks?
Yakima fire stations are strategically located throughout the city to deliver time critical and effective patient care rapidly. They are staffed 24/7 with professional Firefighters who are trained in emergency medical care. Often times they arrive at your medical emergency before the ambulance and start treating the patient. Unfortunately, they are limited to administering only basic life support (unable to administer IV’s, medication or advanced airways). In addition, it is our goal to get a Paramedic to the patient faster. The only way to accomplish this is to place a Firefighter/Paramedic on every neighborhood fire engine. When teamed up with a private ambulance Paramedic, they provide better, faster, more efficient patient care.
3. Why does the fire department want to compete with private ambulance services?
The YFD is not competing with the private ambulance companies. We are looking to strengthen a public/private partnership in which the public benefits. If we were to place a FD ambulance in business, that would be deemed as competition. Chief Hines has NEVER considered this proposal. Actually, quite the opposite. Two years ago he shared his vision (of Paramedic Engine co’s) with the two private ambulance companies. American Medical Response (AMR) has endorsed this concept. They stated they have successfully worked in this type of EMS system for many years all across the country. It has proven to provide better patient care while concurrently strengthening their ambulance company. This is a multi-million dollar company that is professionally run and is traded on the stock market. They would NEVER endorse a program that would endanger their “bottom line”. We want private ambulances to continue responding with us on medical emergencies. The YFD doesn’t have enough Firefighters to staff our fire engines, let alone ambulances. We estimate that it would cost the city over 2-million dollars to implement a fire department ambulance service. There is NO WAY the citizens, the council, city management or the Firefighters would ever approve this. In addition, Fire Department ambulance programs in Pasco and Walla Walla are in the “Red” (losing money). To continue to suggest that there is a YFD conspiracy to get into the ambulance business is nothing short of ludicrous.
4. Is the Fire Union trying to expand and increase firefighter salaries as paramedics while cloaking their proposal under the banner of public safety?
Absolutely not. Yakima Firefighters have a passion to serve their fellow human beings on the worst day of their life. They take pride in their role as public servants. Yakima Firefighters have been placing themselves in harms way for complete strangers for over 100 years. To suggest this is an insult to every Firefighter.
5. Were the two existing firefighters hired as firemen or as paramedics?
Both were hired as Firefighters.
6. Do they receive additional compensation because of their advanced training which is not currently required for their jobs?
No.
7. Why would we want to change to a publicly funded system?
The proposed improvements would be funded through current EMS Levy funds. It is impossible to increase the amount without City Council approval.
8. Our city currently has an EMS system that works, why would we want to change?
There is tremendous room for improvement in our current pre-hospital care system, which would result in better patient care. See attachments.
9. Why does the City Fire Department respond with large, expensive fire trucks to all 911 EMS calls?
The fire engine is equipped to mitigate nearly any type of emergency (fires, ice/water rescue, auto extrication/jaws of life, hazmat, trench cave-in, hi-angle rescue and medical calls). Often, the fire engine will respond to several types of calls before returning to the fire station. If the Firefighters responded to a medical emergency in a pickup truck, cleared the call and were then dispatched to any other type of emergency, they would have to drive back to the fire station and jump into the engine co. and then respond. As you can see, this would drastically increase our response time.
10.Why can’t the EMS dispatchers use discretion as to when large, expensive fire trucks are necessary?
“Priority Dispatching” or “Tiered Response’ has been one of my goals since becoming Fire Chief. Unfortunately, you can’t just “flip a switch” and make it happen. It must be presented and approved by every fire agency and dispatch center in Yakima County. We are currently beginning discussions with the county fire chiefs association, the Yakima County EMS Ops board and the Yakima Communications Center. In addition the current city “ambulance ordinance” must be modified to accomplish this.
11.Is the City Fire Department responding to all 911 calls for EMS to simply increase their “call volume” to increase statistics and revenue from the Countywide EMS levy funds?
No. As discussed in the previous question, our calls for service have already exceeded our resources’. We are in favor of implementing a Tiered response system.
12. Would training additional firefighters as paramedics leave us with fewer firefighters on duty or much increase overtime or additional cost for temporary firefighters to fill these positions while others are being trained as paramedics?
It is impossible for the YFD to send any Firefighters to Paramedic school. We do not have the resources’ or money to “back-fill” the position left vacant for the 11 month school.
13.What would be the pay increase for firefighters who are trained as paramedics?
That would be negotiated. It would be no different than other Firefighters who currently receive skill pay for Hazmat Team, Arson Investigator, Technical Rescue Team etc.
14. What will be the future budget impacts of this program to add paramedics on fire trucks?
It must remain within the YFD budget unless the Public Safety Committee, City Manager and City Council approve an increase.
15. Perhaps the Yakima City Council should direct the firefighter’s duties, when not responding to fire calls, to improving the City’s safety and fire rating by being involved more with code enforcement, weedy lots, trashed up properties, derelict buildings, etc.?
Currently the Yakima Fire Department’s “Washington Survey and Rating Bureau” (WSRB) grade is a “4″. It used to be a “3″. The only way to improve it (bring it back to a “3″) is to increase operational staffing. This grade has a direct impact on the amount citizens (especially business owners) pay on their insurance premiums.
16. “The City Council should direct the Yakima Fire Department to focus on the vital fire fighting services and let the private ambulance services do their jobs”.
The reality today is that the fire service has become the first line medical responder for critical illness and injury in virtually every community in America. Regardless of what agency provides medical transportation services, the fire service is the agency that first delivers on-scene health care services under most true emergency conditions. I’m sure you recall the recent media coverage of Yakima Firefighters arriving on scene and delivering two babies, PRIOR to the private ambulance arrival. In addition, the private ambulances routinely depend on Yakima Firefighters to perform patient care in the back of their ambulances-while en route to the hospital. This is yet another example of a public/private partnership where the tax payer benefits.
Take Care,
Charlie Hines
Fire Chief
cc: Dick Zais
Dave Zabell
Mayor Dave Edler
Council Members:
Maureen Adkinson
Micah Cawley
Kathy Coffey
Rick Ensey
Bill Lover
Sonia Rodriguez
May 5,2009
M.A. (Mel) Tanasse
Save Our American Rights (SOAR)
PO Box 1288
Yakima, WA 98907
Mr. Tanasse,
I received your letter dated April 29, 2009. The City Manager has directed me to respond to your inquiries. I understand that you are confused or unsure as to the reasons for allowing our two Firefighter/Paramedics to be allowed to utilize their life-saving skills on emergency responses. Because most of these have been addressed in previous public presentations throughout the city and in the media as well, over the past year and a half, I will be succinct in my answers. However if you would like further clarification on any matter, even if you would like to meet and discuss them, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Some of the questions were redundant and I took the liberty of combining them.
1. Where is the citizens group or committee that would be advocating that paramedics be added to fire truck?
The Yakima County EMS/Trauma Council, The South Central Washington EMS/Trauma Council and the Governor’s sub-committee on EMS at the State Department of Health all saw the need and approved a “non-transport” (Aid-Car/Engine co.) Paramedic program in the city of Yakima. These committees consist of physicians, nurses, ambulance operators, fire service professionals, elected officials and citizens. In addition, local Doctors and citizens have stated their support through the media and correspondence to the council and the YFD.
2. Why is the Fire Department pushing for paramedics on fire trucks?
Yakima fire stations are strategically located throughout the city to deliver time critical and effective patient care rapidly. They are staffed 24/7 with professional Firefighters who are trained in emergency medical care. Often times they arrive at your medical emergency before the ambulance and start treating the patient. Unfortunately, they are limited to administering only basic life support (unable to administer IV’s, medication or advanced airways). In addition, it is our goal to get a Paramedic to the patient faster. The only way to accomplish this is to place a Firefighter/Paramedic on every neighborhood fire engine. When teamed up with a private ambulance Paramedic, they provide better, faster, more efficient patient care.
3. Why does the fire department want to compete with private ambulance services?
The YFD is not competing with the private ambulance companies. We are looking to strengthen a public/private partnership in which the public benefits. If we were to place a FD ambulance in business, that would be deemed as competition. Chief Hines has NEVER considered this proposal. Actually, quite the opposite. Two years ago he shared his vision (of Paramedic Engine co’s) with the two private ambulance companies. American Medical Response (AMR) has endorsed this concept. They stated they have successfully worked in this type of EMS system for many years all across the country. It has proven to provide better patient care while concurrently strengthening their ambulance company. This is a multi-million dollar company that is professionally run and is traded on the stock market. They would NEVER endorse a program that would endanger their “bottom line”. We want private ambulances to continue responding with us on medical emergencies. The YFD doesn’t have enough Firefighters to staff our fire engines, let alone ambulances. We estimate that it would cost the city over 2-million dollars to implement a fire department ambulance service. There is NO WAY the citizens, the council, city management or the Firefighters would ever approve this. In addition, Fire Department ambulance programs in Pasco and Walla Walla are in the “Red” (losing money). To continue to suggest that there is a YFD conspiracy to get into the ambulance business is nothing short of ludicrous.
4. Is the Fire Union trying to expand and increase firefighter salaries as paramedics while cloaking their proposal under the banner of public safety?
Absolutely not. Yakima Firefighters have a passion to serve their fellow human beings on the worst day of their life. They take pride in their role as public servants. Yakima Firefighters have been placing themselves in harms way for complete strangers for over 100 years. To suggest this is an insult to every Firefighter.
5. Were the two existing firefighters hired as firemen or as paramedics?
Both were hired as Firefighters.
6. Do they receive additional compensation because of their advanced training which is not currently required for their jobs?
No.
7. Why would we want to change to a publicly funded system?
The proposed improvements would be funded through current EMS Levy funds. It is impossible to increase the amount without City Council approval.
8. Our city currently has an EMS system that works, why would we want to change?
There is tremendous room for improvement in our current pre-hospital care system, which would result in better patient care. See attachments.
9. Why does the City Fire Department respond with large, expensive fire trucks to all 911 EMS calls?
The fire engine is equipped to mitigate nearly any type of emergency (fires, ice/water rescue, auto extrication/jaws of life, hazmat, trench cave-in, hi-angle rescue and medical calls). Often, the fire engine will respond to several types of calls before returning to the fire station. If the Firefighters responded to a medical emergency in a pickup truck, cleared the call and were then dispatched to any other type of emergency, they would have to drive back to the fire station and jump into the engine co. and then respond. As you can see, this would drastically increase our response time.
10.Why can’t the EMS dispatchers use discretion as to when large, expensive fire trucks are necessary?
“Priority Dispatching” or “Tiered Response’ has been one of my goals since becoming Fire Chief. Unfortunately, you can’t just “flip a switch” and make it happen. It must be presented and approved by every fire agency and dispatch center in Yakima County. We are currently beginning discussions with the county fire chiefs association, the Yakima County EMS Ops board and the Yakima Communications Center. In addition the current city “ambulance ordinance” must be modified to accomplish this.
11.Is the City Fire Department responding to all 911 calls for EMS to simply increase their “call volume” to increase statistics and revenue from the Countywide EMS levy funds?
No. As discussed in the previous question, our calls for service have already exceeded our resources’. We are in favor of implementing a Tiered response system.
12. Would training additional firefighters as paramedics leave us with fewer firefighters on duty or much increase overtime or additional cost for temporary firefighters to fill these positions while others are being trained as paramedics?
It is impossible for the YFD to send any Firefighters to Paramedic school. We do not have the resources’ or money to “back-fill” the position left vacant for the 11 month school.
13.What would be the pay increase for firefighters who are trained as paramedics?
That would be negotiated. It would be no different than other Firefighters who currently receive skill pay for Hazmat Team, Arson Investigator, Technical Rescue Team etc.
14. What will be the future budget impacts of this program to add paramedics on fire trucks?
It must remain within the YFD budget unless the Public Safety Committee, City Manager and City Council approve an increase.
15. Perhaps the Yakima City Council should direct the firefighter’s duties, when not responding to fire calls, to improving the City’s safety and fire rating by being involved more with code enforcement, weedy lots, trashed up properties, derelict buildings, etc.?
Currently the Yakima Fire Department’s “Washington Survey and Rating Bureau” (WSRB) grade is a “4″. It used to be a “3″. The only way to improve it (bring it back to a “3″) is to increase operational staffing. This grade has a direct impact on the amount citizens (especially business owners) pay on their insurance premiums.
16. “The City Council should direct the Yakima Fire Department to focus on the vital fire fighting services and let the private ambulance services do their jobs”.
The reality today is that the fire service has become the first line medical responder for critical illness and injury in virtually every community in America. Regardless of what agency provides medical transportation services, the fire service is the agency that first delivers on-scene health care services under most true emergency conditions. I’m sure you recall the recent media coverage of Yakima Firefighters arriving on scene and delivering two babies, PRIOR to the private ambulance arrival. In addition, the private ambulances routinely depend on Yakima Firefighters to perform patient care in the back of their ambulances-while en route to the hospital. This is yet another example of a public/private partnership where the tax payer benefits.
Take Care,
Charlie Hines
Fire Chief
cc: Dick Zais
Dave Zabell
Mayor Dave Edler
Council Members:
Maureen Adkinson
Micah Cawley
Kathy Coffey
Rick Ensey
Bill Lover
Sonia Rodriguez