HomeMy WebLinkAboutRejection of Proposal to Charge Fees for Emergency EMS and Rescue Services .i0�IT.gd
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CITY OF ITHACA
310 WEST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
OFFICE OF TEL (607)272-1234
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS FAX (607)272-2793
August 22, 2002
Mayor Cohen,
On August 13, 2002, We, the Board of Fire Commissioners voted in unanimous
rejection of a proposal to implement fees for emergency ems and rescue services
performed by the Ithaca Fire Department within the City and Town of Ithaca. Given the
very nature of this proposal, the valuable time spent by Chief Wilbur and other members of
the Ithaca Fire Department, and to provide a basis for this decision, a written statement is
warranted.
The proposal was first brought to the Board of Fire Commissioners in July,
seeking an attachment of fees for emergency rescue services performed by the Ithaca Fire
Department. Similar services are currently provided by Bangs Ambulance, which is a"for
profit" agency. Albeit the IFD responds to calls-in-kind, as of this writing the IFD is not
a"for profit" agency. Rather, it is a department under the City of Ithaca and primarily
funded by taxpayer dollars. Being cognizant of the City's fiscal woes, we indulged this
line of thinking, submitted questions and requested follow-up information of Chief Wilbur.
As always, the Chief did an excellent job and the materials were available for the August
meeting.
In researching this area, it was found that private, for profit agencies and some
volunteer-only fire departments attach such fees to their services.Fire Departments whose
medical and ambulance services are a separate unit within their department,and usually the
only source a community has for the provision of these services, are the ones who must
charge for these services. In further exploration, fees of this nature, per the proposal, are
unprecedented for fire departments whose majority are paid firefighters and tax payer
funded According to the City Attorney's review, there is only an"appearance" of
propriety for attaching fees of this nature and content. With an estimated $124,000 in
potential revenues generated from these fees, factoring in the uncertainty of insurance
coverage, non-payment, collection services, third party billing systems, and undoubtedly a
court challenge, the possible revenues will quickly become deficits. The risks far outweigh
the questionable gains;the loss of respect and prestige for a fine Department and the ones
responsible for a decision of this kind will be enormous.
A
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After careful review and discussion, it is our determination that a fee for
emergency services is not the appropriate venue with which to generate revenues for the
City of Ithaca. Further, to attach revenue generation to a department whose very charge
is to protect, save, and assist, is a contradiction at best and certainly ill-advised. Residents
have necessary expectations when situations occur. When there is an assault, robbery, or
murder, it is expected that Police Officers will respond. When a water main breaks, the
expectation is the folks from Public Works will take care of it. And, when a home is on
fire, car accident victims require extrication, a loved one has a massive heart attack and
time is not on their side, the Fire Department will respond. These are not"optional"
services used by a few. They are essential services used by all. To think otherwise is
nothing more than short-sighted.
Should the Mayor's office, members of Common Council, and the City Ithaca wish
to pursue revenues via the Ithaca Fire Department, the appropriate avenue would be
through legal channels. It would be prudent and advantageous to pursue increases in
restitution judgments upon those found guilty of malicious intent and blatant disregard.
Those who decidedly jeopardize their safety and that of their rescuers when proceeding
on trails that are closed and find themselves in the gorge; Those who park their cars in
clearly marked fire lanes or next to bright orange fire hydrants; And, those who illegally
burn items in their backyards leading to out-of-control fires. These are the situations that
put our firefighters lives and the lives of our residents at great risk that the community
should be compensated for. It is not the"accident" victim, the cardiac patient, nor their
families who should be further burdened by a bill from the fire department. This is simply
common sense and places value upon a priority department.
Respectfully,
City of Ithaca-Board of Fire Commissioners:
Robert S. Romanowski-chair Paul R. Alexander-vice chair
( Town of Ithaca) ( City of Ithaca)
Greg Kirkpatrick-commissioner Jana L. Taylor-commissioner
( Town of Ithaca) ( City of Ithaca)
cc: Common Council Members