RSSLong-running paramedic debate could end tonight
Yakima's newest council member holds vote that could decide issueYakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- Trails a tangible part of quality of life
- Forum takes hard look at keeping kids out of gangs
- How well did you read the YH-R last week?
- Road work will slow Valley Mall Blvd. traffic
- State to look anew at mosquito control rules
- Yard sale has class written all over it
- Transplanting history in Grandview
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Months after the failure of the EMS levy ignited a debate about paramedics and firefighters, the Yakima City Council is expected to settle the issue once and for all tonight.
"With any luck we'll get this resolved," Councilman Bill Lover said Monday during a media briefing at City Hall. "I certainly don't want to try to anticipate what (the outcome) will be."
That's because newly appointed Councilwoman Maureen Adkison is expected to cast a tie-breaking vote, and she's not talking.
Up for grabs yet again is the fire department's request to launch a limited paramedic program.
The request has been the subject of ongoing debate ever since February, when the failure of the EMS levy scotched plans to hire 12 firefighters and start a full-scale paramedic program.
Despite the setback, the fire department wants permission to start a more limited program using two firefighters on staff who are already certified as paramedics.
Opponents say the public's overwhelming rejection of the EMS levy should be translated as a clear-cut rejection of a full-scale paramedic program. They say the private sector -- two private ambulance companies currently serve the region -- is already meeting the need.
Supporters, however, say the issue is a matter of public safety and that the only reliable interpretation of the EMS vote is that the public didn't want a new tax.
The council was expected to settle the debate last month but instead tabled the matter due to an expected 3-3 stalemate caused by the resignation of Councilman Neil McClure.
Council members Dave Edler, Kathy Coffey and Sonia Rodriguez support the request. Councilmembers Micah Cawley, Rick Ensey and Lover are opposed.
That same night the council appointed Adkison to fill the vacancy, setting the stage for tonight's vote.
* Chris Bristol can be reached at 509-577-7748 or at cbristol@yakimaherald.com.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. I respect elected leaders who can stand up to these proposals and say "NO!".
We have two competing private companies providing an excellent service. The City of Yakima lacks accountability and frankly, I don't trust the unionized fire department with this expansion of services. I'd like to see more of the city's functions outsourced to private enterprise (ie garbage, transit, streets, parks and signs).
We're in the most challenging economic period of our lives and city council members that vote for this will suffer a backlash at the polls. This is not a time to be expanding city government.
Whatever happens, we do NOT need two simultaneous responses to every first aid call. It is a huge waste of money. The local private ambulance companies have been doing an adequate job and there is no reason the city should build and maintain an entire new division of the fire department. They only have two paramedics now and that is just rights for fighting fires, which is what they are hired to do. They can use the paramedics they have internally during fire scene stand-bys to help any injured firefighters and stop responding to first aid calls.
Report ViolationMaybe your "adequate service" given by the private ambulance companies can be helped by a first-on-scene Firefighter/Medic. When seconds count, you want the highest level of care as soon as possible. Everyone jumps around and screams "NO" until your father is having a heart attack, the ambulance is 10 minutes out and the Firefighters aren't allowed to intervien because you voted NO. Just remember, you get what you pay for!
Report Violation
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
