Yakima city Councilwoman Coffey supports paramedics program

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A showdown over paramedics promises to liven up next week’s City Council meeting in Yakima.

Councilwoman Kathy Coffey said Monday she supports letting two city firefighters who are certified paramedics begin using their advanced lifesaving skills on aid calls.

She made the comment during the taping of the KYVE public affairs show “Insider’s Roundtable,” hosted by Yakima Herald-Republic Managing Editor Barbara Serrano. The program is set to air Friday.

The Fire Department recently won regulatory permission to begin a full-scale paramedic program in the runup to February’s vote on a proposed EMS levy.

Voters rejected the levy, but the Fire Department wants to start a more limited program using two firefighters who are already certified paramedics.

Coffey’s stance sets the stage for a 4-3 split on the council, with Councilwoman Sonia Rodriguez providing the swing vote.

To date, Rodriguez has not publicly stated a position on the subject.

Opponents of the proposed program say the city is well served by two ambulance companies and that voters rejected firefighter-paramedics when they rejected the EMS levy.

Supporters say voters rejected only a new tax.

-- Chris Bristol