The most reckless Council since Val Keehn wielded her gavel, has given the go ahead for the City Fire Department to get into the meat wagon business. The vote was 4 to 1 with the Mayor voting no. Mayor Johnson and John Franck had some serious questions about the famous IAFF prepared 2007 study commissioned by Ron Kim that stated that 10 to 20 Fireman would be needed to take on the role of SEMS.
Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan and Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen were giddy with glee at the thought of increasing union card carrying Fireman that were so instrumental in their election campaigns. One of the funniest parts of the half-assed proposal listed 100K in revenue for the “rental” of the Westside ems station yearly. I talked to the reps from Empire and Mohawk that laughed at that.
The Fire Chief is ready to go this week in this exchange with Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco shows.
They passed this document, HERE
Motion to Establish Ambulance Service
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs Fire Department currently provides first response
Basic Life Support and Advance Life Support services to the residents of the City of Saratoga
Springs, which services has become an integral part of the delivery of emrgency medical care;
and
WHEREAS, there is a sufficient number of Advanced Life Support providers within the City of
Saratoga Springs Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, the recent decision by the Board of Directors of the current ambulance provider
SEMS has placed the City of Saratoga Springs without an ambulance provider within the City;
and
WHEREAS, after due consideration by the Commissioner of Public Safety under the Charter of
the City of Saratoga Springs, in consoltation with the members of the City Council, it is agreed
that providing ambulance service could greatly benefit the residents of our City; and
WHEREAS, the area to be served will be the physical boundries of the City of Saratoga
Springs; and
WHEREAS, this resolution will take effect upon the approval of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs is authorized by the City Council to
draft a letter requesting Public Health Law Operating Authority as a certified ambualnce service;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the certified and
quailified members of the City of Saratoga Springs Fire Department to provide ambulance
service at the paramedic level to the residents and visitors of the City of Saratoga Springs.
The beginning of the end. Good thing the Fireman don't live in the city and have to paid these taxes.
This is a short post as it went past midnight
8 comments:
SAYITISN'TSO:
If the Council actually voted to "hire" the Department of Public Safety/Fire Department to be our primary EMS responders and transporters, we should investigate how to recall those who vote "aye."
Quite simply, there was no RFP, no bidding process, no independent analysis of financial projections, minimal public input, no review by the City Attorney, no review by Labor Counsel, no "sign-off" by the appropriate Fire Company Unions, and on and on.
A potentially good idea may have been ruined by extraordinarily immature action by the City Council. After 3 or 4 months it will become obvious that there will not be sufficient funds in this years budget to pay the salaries of Department of Public Safety employees. There may be some "juggling" this year by Commissioner Madigan, but next years budget will have to increase by 8% just to cover the cost of this plan, if the Fire Department only generates the revenue that SEMS generated. This will be impossible with the 2% property tax gap, unless this Council gets some kind of "waiver" for emergency services.
The whole thing smells like politics at its worst. This is a sad and expensive day for the taxpayers of Saratoga Springs.
The largest expansion of city government in 40 years. A deal is a deal the dems ran no one against Skippy and he keeps his word and backs them to the wall. Next Betty French is thrown under the bus to pay back Skippy yes vote
A disgrace done in the middle of the night
What a mess. The Chief needs a good lesson in manners. He spent a good 30 minutes with his back to the auidience, which by the way, are the tax payers. Maybe a protocol on Council manners is in order.
So dissappointed in John Franck. Not good times ahead and I am a Dem.
I realize this is off-topic, but today is the day to make a stand against SOPA and the legislators who support it. SOPA will have very drastic repercussions for internet freedom in the United States...And John, I know this is probably not your bailiwick, but I'd implore you to do a post bringing to light this issues with this unabashed intrusion of government. Log onto the blacked-out Wikipedia for more information.
Questions I have:
1) What happens now to all of the SEMS employees?
2) Why was this "Vote" rushed?
3) Why was the public not told that this "Vote" was going to take place? My understanding was that this was a workshop not a vote.
4) Is the city going to operate one, two or more ambulances?
5) What will be the protocol to handle second, third or more ambulance request?
Largest expansion in city government in forty years
I hear Skippy has already hired (without Council approval or funding)his "New" Reservation Coordinator. Guess Who....NO not Kelly Clark whose name appears on all new Casino contracts as Reservation Coordinator....are you ready Saratoga taxpayers??? Mary Lou Whitney's daughter Heather!!!!! Starting date 2/6/12 which means the "fix is in". Skippy will be bring his request for funding at the next Council meeting for approval. Can you say, one hands washes the other?
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