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If you have a question not answered on this page, please send us an email:
How important is it to have a Paramedic ambulance arrive quickly at a medical call?
Rapid ambulance response is critical in a medical emergency. While EMTs and First Responders play a significant role in stabilizing ill and injured patients to prepare them for treatment and transport, the early arrival of Paramedics allows advanced lifesaving treatments and procedures to be performed immediately. In the case of trauma, treatment and transport should begin within just a few minutes and a critical patient needs to arrive at the appropriate hospital less than 1 hour from the
injury.
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What capabilities does a Paramedic ambulance have in the case of a medical emergency?
A Paramedic ambulance is equipped similar to a hospital emergency room. It has medications and equipment to treat almost any medical emergency and it is staffed with trained personnel who can quickly assess a patient and begin life saving treatment.
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How many Paramedics work for the Camas Fire Department?
Of the 38 line personnel employed by the Camas Fire Department (which does
not include the Fire Chief, Battalion Chiefs, or administrative
personnel), 27 are Paramedics, while the other 11 are EMT/IV Techs.
The Camas Fire Department is in the process of transitioning towards a
100% Paramedic line personnel work force.
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How many Paramedics work for the Washougal Fire Department or East County Fire & Rescue?
The Washougal Fire Department and East County Fire & Rescue do not have any Paramedics on staff, as their budgets cannot support their own internal Paramedic programs, and as such WFD and ECFR are not licensed to provide Paramedic-level care or any ambulance service.
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How many ambulances does Camas Fire Department have?
Camas Fire Department has three Advanced Life Support, Paramedic ambulances staffed around the clock and is capable of responding a fourth ambulance in just a few minutes if needed.
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What is the cost of the EMS levy?
It is important to remember that the EMS levy is not a new tax, but that it requires a regular periodic renewal at least once every six years. Currently, the EMS Levy for most of the ambulance service area is 35¢ per $1,000 of a property's valuation, which is equal to just $105 per year if you own a $300,000 home. Washougal voters approved a 50¢ per $1,000 measure ($150 per year for a $300,000 home), and the extra 15¢ is used by Washougal to fund two full-time firefighter positions.
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Who will send an ambulance to my home if the EMS Levy is not renewed?
As long as the EMS Levy is in place, the area served is protected not
only by the local ambulance service, but also by mutual aid agreements
with neighboring EMS jurisdictions, where each agency will assist its
neighbors in times of high call volume. If the EMS Levy is not
renewed, the area will not have a functioning ambulance service, and
therefore will not be a participant in regional EMS mutual aid.
Therefore, if the EMS Levy fails, though neighboring jurisdictions might
be willing to send an ambulance if one is available, they in fact have no
obligation to send an ambulance at all. Without the EMS Levy,
ambulance response will be delayed as a unit comes from farther away, if
there is any coming at all.
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How much will it cost for an ambulance transport if the EMS Levy is not renewed?
If the EMS Levy is not renewed, and if a neighboring agency has enough
ambulances available to send one into this area, they will charge their
full, unsubsidized rate. This fee could range widely, from as low as
$1,500 for a basic transport, up to several thousands of dollars for
advanced treatments in severe emergencies. In addition, they may
charge a extra mileage rate for the response out of their normal coverage
area, adding hundreds of dollars more to the fee.
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How might this election impact my home's resale value?
While assessed property values will probably not be greatly impacted, the loss of reliable, dedicated Paramedic ambulance service is likely to damage your home's market resale value, as much as if you were to suddenly lose coverage from law enforcement or fire protection. Home buyers usually expect these services and may not want to live in an area lacking reliable ambulance service.
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How are funds collected from the EMS Levy spent?
All of the funds collected from the EMS Levy are returned to the community directly to support regional EMS. The funds are administered by the Camas Fire Department to pay for Paramedic training, advanced medical equipment such as defibrillators, purchase and maintenance of ambulances, and ongoing training and re-supply of medical supplies in order to serve all of the communities participating in the partnership. EMS Levy funds are also distributed through the Camas Fire Department to supply emergency medical training, equipment and supplies to ECFR and Washougal, since they also serve areas within the partnership.
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Who paid for this web site, informational home mailings, etc?
All work is performed by concerned citizens, and 100% of the monetary funds spent were provided through privately-funded donations. No tax dollars are involved in this effort. CFD, WFD and ECFR have independently released information strictly for voter awareness which is not related to work performed by the 'YES on EMS' Committee.
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I am concerned for my community's safety and want to save our ambulance service, how can I help?
It is easy to help, click here for more information on easy ways you can help keep your ambulance!
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How can I get registered to vote in time to participate?
If you are not already registered to vote where you live, you must submit your mail-in voter registration form or register online no later than Monday, July 19, 2010. Click here to open a new window with Clark County's Voter Registration Information, where you can register online. Every vote counts!
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