The Encinitas Taxpayers Association's Bob Bonde finally gets to present his ambulance service plan. It sounds like a win-win, improving response times and saving money. We understand the Fire Department is opposed, but haven't heard their argument.
Presentation here.
Right on, thanks for your diligence Mr. Bonde!
ReplyDeleteHow much will six ambulance's cost us Bob? You left that out of your proposal. Do you recomend selling some of the firetrucks to offset the cost of ambulances? I don't think Village Park is going to go for closure of their station either. And nowhere do you state that increasing response times are also related to our growing traffic problems on our four main arterials. Ambulances are going to have a tough time getting around it as well. Good luck with your presentation sir.
ReplyDeleteclose that village park station and give the an ambulance that serves them, not a useless fire station that takes from them. Thanks for the hard work Bob
DeleteYeah give them Mother, Jugs and Speed!
DeleteDalager said he'll haul you to the hospital in the back of his pickup - for a price.
ReplyDelete8:04
ReplyDeleteI'll take it over the $2500 ride I got.
I'm happy to hear that Bob Bonde will be able to present his plan to help this city save money.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bob. I am very sorry for the way this council and their staff has treated you over the last few years. The disrespect of you is shameful. You deserve better from them. Yes, some of the trucks should be replaced with ambulances considering the high percentage of responses would be better off with an ambulance rather than these huge fire trucks. $$$$$$ I don't know who could think this was a good and efficient policy. It is about time for this council to listen and comprehend what Bobs ideas mean for our financial survival. Use those trucks for fires. That is what they are for. Duh.
ReplyDeletethe report and facts are not entirely accurate. LA city has 4 man fire engines and 2 man ambulances. Six firefighters on every call. Encinitas has 3 on every call. Which costs less? If Encinitas ambulances are in Carlsbad transporting a patient due to the boundary drop who is coming to transport you...
DeleteLA is a bloated and bankrupt system, worse than ours.
DeleteLA also bifurcates its ambulances with some for low grade emergencies and staffed by two EMTs the others for high grade emergencies with a paramedic. Dispatch decides which to send.
DeleteIf Bob's ideas are so good WHY is it that NOT even ONE fire department in the United States is following Bob's fire service model. If I'm wrong, please identify the city department.
ReplyDeleteFire dept work to maintain and/or increase the number of firefighters and over time. What's your next question??
DeleteTrue on your point about FD's trying to maintain their numbers, but duh, it's their job.
Delete11:23's point is valid, maybe Bonde's plan isn't good. I would love an analysis on both sides.
Ambulances can be leased or purchased. A single ambulance could cost as much as $200,000 initially but the transport box can be removed and placed on a new chassis for about $50,000, after the initial rig wears out at about 300,000 miles. By using ambulances for 95% of the calls, fire engines costing well over $500,000 a piece should last twice as long. If the city withdraws from the county ambulance service, provides its own service and collects the transport fees, it could pay for 4 new ambulances and have $2M to spare after just the first year of operation.
ReplyDeleteSomeone asked why no other fire department cross-staffed their ambulances. My answer is simple. Change has to begin somewhere and where better than Encinitas. ETA and I have been working for 19 years to break the political log jamb that has cost untold lives and been, to a degree, responsible for people to losing other city services and some cities to even go bankrupt. Logic and reason needs to prevail.
Small Fire Departments have it great, with high salaries, few calls and benefits that are the envy of most working people, so why would they agree to any change unless forced to do so.
It is our belief that by having 4 ambulances stationed at Cardiff, Balour, Leucadia and Olivenhain the people of Encinitas would receive far better emergency response than with the present 6 engine process because less than 2% of calls are for fires of any type.
Can you please explain the political log jamb and the number of lives lost? I'm confused......Thanks
ReplyDeleteAmbulances are for transport. By definition, they will be out of service during transportation to a hospital, including a limited time at the hospital to effect admittance. Due to modern capabilities such as GPS, they become available as soon as they leave the hospital and will be dispatched enroute if they are the closest unit on their return to station.
ReplyDeleteCurrent contract ambulances have one paramedic and one EMT. Encinitas has at least one paramedic on each unit and a truck will be dispatched in a response to a 911 call. It is expected the fire unit will arrive before the ambulance. Sometimes a none fire emergency will require more equipment than is normally carried in an ambulance such as the "jaws of life".
When my mom fell and couldn't get back up it took 4 people due to her being overweight. Are you telling me only 3 people are coming next time?
ReplyDeleteI'm telling you your question is stupid. Learn how to take care of your mom. The City is learning how to provide cost effective emergency response.
ReplyDeleteFire union boys are way overpaid and sucking the tax revenues dry.