Is the Ambulance District subsidizing fire departments or are fire departments subsidizing the Ambulance District?
This is an oft-asked question, but it is based on the incorrect premise: that it might be less expensive to Blaine County taxpayers if there were separate departments for fire and for ambulance. In fact, it would be much more expensive to provide 24/7 ~ 365 day-a-year ~ service for fire and ambulance if they were funded separately in small counties like ours. There is a synergy and fiscal economy in using cross-trained personnel in both fire and medical service that makes 24/7 response possible for both emergency services. One fire dollar plus one ambulance dollar equals more than two dollars of public benefit; it would cost much more to achieve 24/7 service if fire and ambulance were separated. In Blaine Countys case, one fire responder plus one ambulance responder actually gives the taxpayers the equivalent of more personnel, from a cost-efficiency standpoint. When paramedics and EMTs are not on emergency ambulance calls they are out shoveling snow from hydrants, generally being usef
Related Questions
- Is the Ambulance District subsidizing fire departments or are fire departments subsidizing the Ambulance District?
- Can all of the mutual aid departments afford the radios or will Phoenix be subsidizing their system?
- Does the Ambulance District revenue increase have anything to do with fire departments?
