Warren Appleton – Why I’m Voting NO on current Fire Levy

There is No Urgency to approve current Fire Levy request…. Existing EMS funding Levy underwrites Paramedic /EMT services until 2023.   Dr.Corsa and I agree that current prehospital care is Quality.

Having been deeply involved & extremely supportive of Emergency Care/EMS for 45 years (including a pervious merger/integration), public hospital district (PHD) commissioner, physician/attorney and over 8 years prehospital services Medical Director… I find the current integration levy proposal deficient:

  1. No public budget detailing how $$$$ will be spent.
  2. Process does not conform with Law (RCW 39.34.050).
  3. No agreed assets (ambulances, defibrillators, $$, etc.) plan
  4. No discussion by Fire re: Paramedic/EMS scope of service … e.g. Will Fire be willing to transfer Emergency Department patients off Island….??
  5. No public plan on how current PHD Paramedic/EMTs will be treated at integration.
  6. Significant PeaceHealth/PHD contractual issues need resolution

Fire had 2 years to develop a transparent plan…. We now face a cart before horse proposal. Current proposal does not pass any kitchen-table budgeting test…Fire Administration’s failure of transparency/planning is worrisome conduct.

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I also urge you to Vote for Dwight Colley (current practicing PHD/EMT, skillful Ph.D. with wide-ranging medical training, team-player, transparent, logical) is willing & skilled to bring Fire and current EMS services to a sustainable and efficient agreement. His opponent failed.

Please… Fire and PHD…. Ducks in a row… transparency… and come back in April, I want us all to succeed.

Respectfully,
Warren Appleton MD, JD