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Latest News, Editorials and Video
Last Update: Monday, September 29, 2008 05:35 PM
September 3, 2008
Official Certified Results
64.83% YES (1696)
35.17% NO (920)
Results courtesy of Clark County:
http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/results/2008/2008PrimaryAUGElectionResults.pdf
August 29, 2008
Updated Unofficial Early Results
64.82% YES (1695)
35.18% NO (920)
Results courtesy of Clark County:
http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/results/2008/2008PrimaryAUGElectionResults.pdf
August 27, 2008
EMS service in east county will continue
Levy gains 65 percent approval
By Heather Acheson
Post-Record staff
East County Fire and Rescue and Camas Fire Department officials could
breathe a sigh of relief last Tuesday as the results of the emergency
medical services levy finally came out in their favor.
According to unofficial final results from the Clark County Elections
Department, 1,682 (64.87 percent) of voters supported the levy, while 911
(35.13 percent) were against. The Aug. 19 election marks the third time in
the past two years that ECFR has attempted to get voters to pass the
six-year levy that requests 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to
support paramedic service provided to the district by the CFD.
What was the difference this time around? According to Camas Fire Chief
Leo Leon, it was the support for the levy generated by citizens and paid
and volunteer staff with both departments, as well as increased media
attention to the issue.
"We were guardedly optimistic leading up to the election," Leon
said. "There was a huge effort put forth to get the word out and the
feedback we got was very positive once citizens got the correct
information."
ECFR Chief Scott Koehler said he appreciated the support from voters,
particularly in light of the current economic climate.
"We are very thankful to the public," he said. "We
appreciate them making a tough decision in tough economic times."
The original 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value levy expired at the end
of 2006 when ECFR voters twice failed to renew it after a history of 26
years of support. Since then, the CFD has continued to provide paramedic
service to the unincorporated areas around Camas and Washougal despite
being out the approximately $255,000 previously brought in annually
through the levy. Had this most recent attempt failed, however, that
service would have ended on Sept. 1.
In addition to uninterrupted paramedic service, with the passage of the
levy ECFR patients will see some other benefits. ECFR will no longer
charge patients the $413 medical call fee that was instituted in January
2007, and CFD will reduce its medical response fee from the current $1,000
to $535 - the same amount charged to patients in Camas and Washougal.
Camas will also re-institute funding earmarked for ECFR medic training and
medical equipment and supplies.
The approved EMS levy will cost the owner of a $200,000 home approximately
$70 per year; the owner of a $300,000 home will be charged $105 per year.
The levy does not kick in until January 2009, however, so officials with
both departments are working together to determine how much ECFR will
contribute to the CFD to provide paramedic service from Sept 1 to Dec. 31
of this year.
"We are trying to work with [Leon] because he absolutely has to
balance his budget," Koehler said. "We will work in good faith
to try to address whose concerns."
Options include a month-to-month contract, deferred payments, in-kind
agreements, or a combination of all three.
"We'll have to figure out what is best for the both of us," Leon
said.
Meanwhile, ECFR has moved forward on its plans to purchase several
satellite stations around the county.
According to Koehler, a house on five acres that includes several out
buildings has been acquired for $525,000. The Bear Prairie location near
the intersection of Northeast 28th Street and 397th Avenue allows ECFR to
have coverage close to Washougal River Road as well as the future 22-lot
subdivision Bear Prairie Estates.
"It really is a strategic location," he said. "The house is
applicable to operations as a fire station."
In October, a volunteer firefighter and his or her family will occupy the
house. In exchange for upkeep of the property and maintenance of fire
department vehicles and equipment, the family will be allowed to live in
the home rent-free.
"They will have very specific criteria they will have to meet to stay
there," Koehler said. "I think it's the best solution we can
come up with at no cost."
Although no other purchases have been finalized yet, Koehler said the
department is aiming to have a total of three satellite stations.
Additional locations will be in the Gibson Road/Highway 14 area and near
Jones Creek.
© 2008 Columbian
Publishing Company (Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
August 26, 2008
Updated Unofficial Early Results
64.85% YES (1688)
35.15% NO (915)
Results courtesy of Clark County:
http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/results/2008/2008PrimaryAUGElectionResults.pdf
August 22, 2008
Updated Unofficial Early Results
64.87% YES (1682)
35.13% NO (911)
Results courtesy of Clark County:
http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/results/2008/2008PrimaryAUGElectionResults.pdf
August 21, 2008
Updated Unofficial Early Results
64.88% YES (1679)
35.12% NO (909)
Results courtesy of Clark County:
http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/results/2008/2008PrimaryAUGElectionResults.pdf
August 21, 2008
‘It's looking good now’
By JOHN BRANTON
Columbian staff writer
It was happy times Wednesday out at East County Fire & Rescue’s main station, the day after voters approved the emergency medical services levy.
“It’s looking good now,” said Chief Scott Koehler. “We’re certainly relieved. We dodged a bullet on this one.”
Sixty-five percent of voters supported the issue, surprising many in tough economic times.
Had the EMS levy not gained 60 percent yes votes, Camas officials had said they’d stop sending their paramedics and four ambulances into east county’s 58-square-mile area on Sept. 1. Previous levies had failed, and east county couldn’t pay its share.
Now the ambulance service will continue uninterrupted.
Benefits
And beginning Jan. 1, there are several other benefits for the 10,016 people who live in the district north of Camas and Washougal:
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East county will drop its $413 fee for all medical calls. |
|
Camas will lower its charge for ambulance rides from $1,000 to $535, the same rate that Camas and Washougal residents now pay, said Fire Chief Leo Leon. |
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Camas also will restart its funding of east county’s medic training and medical supplies, worth about $70,000 per year, Leon said. |
The levy, 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, will cost $105 per year for property worth $300,000. It will continue for six years.
“We’re pleased that the citizens have given us the resources to save lives,” Koehler said.
© 2008 Columbian
Publishing Company (Columbian)
August 20, 2008
Updated Unofficial Early Results
65.26% YES (1488)
34.74% NO (792)
Results courtesy of Clark County:
http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/results/2008/2008PrimaryAUGElectionResults.pdf
August 20, 2008
Voters rescue East County Fire
By JOHN BRANTON
Columbian staff writer
Despite a flagging economy, East County Fire & Rescue and Clark County Fire District 10 appear to have won their bids to secure and improve emergency response capabilities.
Serving a 58-square-mile rural area wrapped around the cities of Camas and Washougal, East County Fire asked voters for 35 cents per $1,000 of property valuation.
With about 65 percent yes votes Tuesday night, Fire Chief Scott Koehler appeared to have succeeded in his efforts to ensure that Camas officials will keep sending their paramedics and four ambulances to the area.
The issue required 60 percent to pass.
Had the measure failed, officials in Camas had said they would stop providing emergency medical services into the area on Sept. 1.
That’s because district voters rejected the levy twice in 2006. So, the district had no money to pay Camas for its share of the emergency medical costs.
The 35-cent levy will cost $105 per year for property assessed at $300,000.
© 2008 Columbian
Publishing Company (Columbian)
August 19, 2008
Unofficial Early Results
65.16% YES
34.84% NO
Results courtesy of Clark County:
http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/results/2008/2008PrimaryAUGElectionResults.pdf
August 15, 2008
Failure of levy would greatly affect ambulance service in east county, officials say
By JOHN BRANTON
Columbian staff writer
Here’s all you hope you need to know about ambulances:
In the unlikely event you ever need one, it will be there, and promptly, to help save your life or that of a loved one.
That’s pretty much true in Clark County now, but it could change in the 58-square-mile rural area wrapped around the cities of Camas and Washougal.
If a levy request by East County Fire & Rescue fails Tuesday, officials in Camas have said they will stop sending their paramedics and four ambulances into the area Sept. 1.
That’s because east county voters rejected the levy twice in 2006. So east county has no money to pay Camas for its share of the emergency medical costs.
The money requested is 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. That would be $105 per year for property worth $300,000.
If 60 percent of voters don’t approve, east county will have few options.
“If it happens, we’ll have to wait for the closest available American Medical Response ambulance,” said Chief Scott Koehler of east county. “Whatever comes our way, whenever it comes our way.”
What does AMR say about that?
“We do provide mutual aid to that area when requested,” said Dave Fuller, AMR’s general manager for Southwest Washington.
But he said AMR has no contract to serve the east-county area.
Suppose AMR had only one ambulance available, which “doesn’t happen very often,” Fuller said. In that case, the company’s first legal responsibility would be to folks in its large contract area in Clark County.
More commonly, the question isn’t whether an ambulance would be sent at all, but how soon it would arrive, officials say.
“The big question is ‘Where is that ambulance going to respond from?’” said Doug Smith-Lee, EMS manager at Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, who oversees AMR’s contract. “What would be the response time?”
Lack of incentive
AMR handles 80 percent of ambulance calls in Clark County. In AMR’s large contract area, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency fines the company if its response times fall below standards, Smith-Lee said.
In urban areas, an ambulance must arrive within 7 minutes and 59 seconds — and within 10 minutes and 59 seconds in a suburban zone — 90 percent of the time.
CRESA fines the company $15 for every minute when an ambulance is late. If AMR’s response times dip below the 90 percent figure for a month, it’s a $1,000 fine.
That gives AMR an incentive to meet the standards in its contract area, but there would be no such requirements or incentives for AMR in east county, Smith-Lee said.
“They’re going to cover their own before they cover us,” Koehler said. “They have a legal responsibility to the people in their contract area. They have no obligation for citizens in the east county area.”
He added that AMR has “made no promises to us, other than they’ll try to help.”
As Koehler sees it, approval of the levy would mean four paramedic-staffed Camas ambulances available for east county.
Disapproval would mean none, other than what AMR might provide.
“We could have some pretty bad response times,” he said.
If east county’s levy request does fail, its board would have the option of asking Clark County officials to include the east county area in the large area that AMR contracts to protect, Smith-Lee said. That area includes Vancouver, unincorporated Clark County, Battle Ground, La Center and Ridgefield.
“Our Board of Fire Commissioners has not considered that option, yet,” Koehler said. “One roving ‘area’ ambulance — shared along with the rest of Clark County — would be a significant decrease in service from the four ambulances that Camas commits to our area now. The Board is in no hurry to downgrade emergency service to our customers.”
So do the 10,016 folks who live in the east county area understand their options?
“Most people just are not aware of the ambulance scenario,” Koehler said. “People either are not informed or don’t understand.”
“Right now, with the economy the way it is, and with the anti-tax sentiment, 60 percent is going to be a long stretch for the voters,” Koehler said. “If they are not informed and if they don’t get involved in the election, the outcome looks pretty bleak for our community.”
For now, Koehler said he wonders what would happen if there were a multiple-car traffic crash on Washougal River Road or state Highway 14, or a serious school bus accident, and few paramedics and ambulances were available.
“Protection of life and safety is a huge issue for us,” he said.
East county residents with questions can call the main station at 360-835-5511. Or visit
www.eastcofire-rescue.org.
© 2008 Columbian
Publishing Company (Columbian)
August 12, 2008
EMS levy has support
Times are a bit uncertain now, and emotions are overpowering logic for some. There are some difficult decisions facing these communities in the coming months but one issue that should not be a difficult decision is voting yes for the ECFR EMS levy.
Everyone needs to stop and take a deep breath and really do some soul searching.
Is roughly giving up $105 a year to provide ambulance service to someone, maybe even you, God forbid, in your community not important to you?
I know not everyone drinks at Starbucks, I am not a coffee drinker, I have tried a chai tea - just as expensive … but I did a comparison to try to put this into a financial perspective that the levy amount is a fairly insignificant amount of money but could potentially have devastating consequences if it fails.
If one person bought an Iced Caramel Latté Iced Mocha Venti for $3.50 (got it off the Web don't have a clue what it is) twice a week that would roughly be $364 a year.
Even one a week ($182) is still more than what is being asked for on the levy.
Let's see now, $105 a year for guaranteed ambulance service (quality of life) or $364 a year for a fancy coffee (self indulgence).
I believe in humanity and pray you make the right choice. I value the quality of human life.
What do you value?
Melissa Smith
Camas
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
August 12, 2008
Vote yes for east county EMS
Imagine your loved one collapsing at your home, and they've stopped breathing. What would you do? Fortunately for our family, Camas paramedics responded promptly to our rural Washougal home.
Thanks to their exceptional care and service, our family member is still with us today. I shudder to think what would have happened if there wasn't a Camas ambulance available to us in the East County.
This is why I'm asking you to join me in voting yes for the East County Fire & Rescue EMS levy.
During this difficult economic time, you may not want to think about increasing your property taxes, but can you really put a price on lives?
To me, $.35 per $1,000 of your home's tax assessed value seems minimal to retain this essential life-saving service. Ballots, due by August 19th, were mailed out this past week.
Please take the time to vote yes for the EMS levy; the life you save may be your own.
Kristin McGovern
Washougal
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
August 7, 2008
EMS Levy gets attention of JEMS
 JEMS, the Journal of Emergency Medical Services, has found the story of the EMS Levy so compelling that they have featured the Fox Portland Channel 12 news article on their news page.
JEMS leads the industry in providing the EMS advanced provider, instructor and administrator with clinical breakthroughs, product reviews, continuing education and more.
Click here to view the JEMS news
page.
August 5, 2008
EMS levy supported
 This August, the citizens of east Clark County have an important public safety measure before them; voting to continue the high quality emergency medical services in rural east Clark County.
For nearly 30 years, the cities of Camas and Washougal, along with East County Fire & Rescue participated in partnership to provide emergency medical services. Over the last two years, the city of Camas has tried to continue to provide EMS services in the rural area without their levy support. The city of Camas is committed to being a good partner. However with the rising inflation, aging equipment, and regulatory limits, the city of Camas has to cease providing EMS services in the rural areas unless levy funding can be provided.
Historically, the levy has received overwhelming voter support since its inception in 1979. Many individuals recognize the importance of the EMS levy and have publicly stated their support. Please join them in voting yes for the EMS levy this August and supporting the quality emergency services we have come to expect over the last 29 years.
Paul Dennis
Camas
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
August 3, 2008
Can't afford to reject levy
 With ambulance service on the line in East County Fire and Rescue's area, how can homeowners afford to reject the EMS levy? The housing market is in shambles. If the ambulance goes away, it will be like losing fire or police. Home buyers expect these services and may not buy a house without ambulance coverage.
If you vote "no" to save $100-$150 a year and gamble that no one dies waiting for an ambulance that may never come, you can expect home resale values to plummet further. Your $100-$150 savings may become losses of thousands. Even a reduction in taxation from this loss of value wouldn't make up for the damage.
Even if you don't care about the lives of yourself, family or friends in East County, you still can't afford to do anything but vote "yes."
Visit www.emsyes.org for more information.
Frank Billington IV
Camas
© 2008 Columbian
Publishing Company (Columbian)
August 2, 2008
Levy Providing Ambulance Service Hangs in
Balance  Some people in Washington's East County Fire and Rescue say a levy could be a matter of life and death.
EMSyes.org comment:
KPTV reporter Sophie Soong reports incorrectly near the beginning of this clip that
this web site (EMSyes.org) was created by the Camas Fire Department and
East County Fire & Rescue. EMSyes.org was
created by the 'Yes on EMS' Committee, which is not affiliated with nor
funded by the Camas Fire Department or East County Fire & Rescue.
© 2008 Meredith Corporation
(KPTV Portland Channel 12)
July 29, 2008
Ballots go in the mail this week
By Dave Kern
Post-Record staff  Ballots for the Aug. 19
primary election go into the mail this week.
The
issue gathering the most attention locally is the East County Fire &
Rescue proposed levy. The levy would cost
residents 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The
Camas City Council has decided to cut off ambulance and paramedic
service to the 10,000-resident district on Sept. 1. If
the levy passes, arrangements will be made to continue the service. Similar
levy requests were defeated twice in 2006. "I'm
guardedly optimistic," said Fire Commissioner Gary Larson of ECFR.
"We've had people at the Fern Prairie Market with booths... trying
to get the word out. "The scary thing is I
don't think everyone realizes what the potential is." ECFR
firefighters can respond to medical emergencies but they do not have
advanced life-saving training and equipment, said Chief Scott Koehler. Capt.
Kevin Bergstrom of the Camas Fire Department is a Fern Prairie
resident. He's working with a committee of about 40 persons urging a
"yes" vote. "We are telling
folks... if they choose not to approve the levy this time they're going
to lose their ambulance service. That scares me." Bergstrom
contends when ECFR voters turned down the levy, many thought they were
voting against a 10-cent levy increase, not against getting rid of the
levy. In 2006, the levy request was increased from 25 cents per $1,000
to 35 cents per $1,000. Bergstrom said his
committee is grateful to Washougal resident Ray Hickey, who is paying
for the newspaper ads supporting this levy. Mail-in
ballots are due back Aug. 19. The measure
requires a 60 percent "yes" vote to pass. © 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
July 29, 2008
EMS is essential
 I urge all residents served by East County Fire & Rescue to vote yes on August 19th. Simply stated, without the response from Camas Fire Department, there
maybe no ambulance coming to residents in East County after September 1st. Can we choose to allow our neighbors or families at risk?
I can't imagine an area as developed as ours making such a disturbing step backward in emergency care as to eliminate our own ambulance service. A yes vote allows continued paramedic response in an advanced life support ambulance to residents. Please join me and vote yes on EMS and keep our ambulance.
For more information a web site has been created: www.EMSyes.org
Kevin Bergstrom
Camas
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
July 29, 2008
Vote yes for ambulance service
 The EMS levy to continue
paramedic ambulance service to the East County Fire & Rescue area is not a tax, it is insurance. We have insurance on those things we value most, such as
our homes, health, cars, boats, etc., so I cannot understand why anyone would choose to reject the extremely affordable cost of ensuring reliable ambulance service, which helps save something of the highest value: The lives of ourselves, family and friends.
At a very reasonable 35 cents per $1,000, the EMS Levy "insurance policy" amounts to just $105 for a $300,000 home. With these
high oil prices, this is about the cost of a tank of gas. If you choose to reject the EMS Levy, and it fails, you will eventually hear of someone who
died because of a delay of paramedic care and transport, and you will know the value you placed on that life: A tank of gas. Let's hope it isn't someone you care about.
Please, vote yes on EMS. Go to www.EMSyes.org for more information.
Frank Billington IV
Camas
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
July 29, 2008
EMS levy supported
 Voters in East County Fire and Rescue's taxing district have a big choice to make regarding the Emergency Medical Services Levy on August 19th, and it could be a life-or-death choice. Without an EMS levy in place, Camas Ambulance will no longer respond into ECFR territory, because it costs them more money to provide service than they are able to recoup - a violation of state law.
Imagine this scenario: You or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of a serious illness - a heart attack or stroke - or perhaps you've been involved in a serious car accident. You dial 9-1-1 for help. Within minutes, ECFR's EMTs arrive to provide basic life support services such as CPR, oxygen, basic first aid or splinting.
Here's where the choice comes in. A "no" vote means that the scenario ends here. Camas Ambulance no longer responds, and AMR is not obligated to respond to East County. If AMR has resources available, they might take an hour or more to arrive.
A "yes" vote to support the EMS levy at a cost of just 35 cents per $1,000 assessed value means that just minutes later an ambulance will arrive from Camas with trained paramedics, high-tech medical equipment and life-saving medications. The patient will be loaded into the ambulance and transported immediately to the nearest hospital.
A "yes" vote also means that ECFR would no longer be forced to charge for medical responses, and that ambulance transport fees would revert to lower "in district" rates.
Please don't be caught waiting for an ambulance that may never come.
Vote "yes" on EMS.
Jack Hoober
Washougal
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
July 28, 2008
Clark County Voters Guide Released
 Click
here to download the entire document from Clark County, or read
the segments pertaining to the EMS Levy below.
If you have not already registered, or need to update
your registration, time is running out, the deadline is August
4th. Click
here for information on voter registration.
EAST COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE
PROPOSITION NO. 1
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS –
PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING REGULAR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROPERTY TAX LEVY. The Board of Commissioners of East County Fire & Rescue adopted Resolution No. 87-04152008 concerning
a proposition to impose a regular emergency medical services property tax levy of $.35 per $1,000.00 or less of
assessed valuation for each of six consecutive years beginning in 2008 for the purpose of providing emergency
medical services to its citizens. -------------------- Explanatory statement
East County Fire & Rescue seeks voter approval for an Emergency Medical
Services property tax levy, as provided in RCW 84.52.069. Voters are asked
to approve the levy of thirty-five cents per one-thousand dollars of assessed
valuation for each of six consecutive years beginning in 2008. This EMS Levy funds the continuation of Paramedic Ambulance response in East
County Fire & Rescue’s protection area (the rural areas outside the Cities of
Camas and Washougal). -------------------- Statement for:
Until recently, an EMS levy existed which funded paramedic ambulance response to the citizens served by East County Fire and Rescue. This levy still exists in the cities of Camas and Washougal. Without this levy, there is no guarantee that an ambulance will be available when you call 911. Your yes vote will simply reinstitute the service within East County Fire and Rescue. Please vote yes!
Levy History:
The EMS program, started in 1978, has provided an enhanced level of emergency medical services for thirty years. The program includes: local paramedic ambulance transport, continuous medical training for all emergency response personnel, and community training in CPR and First Aid. Residents served by East County Fire and Rescue need to re-join the voters in Camas and Washougal who have overwhelmingly renewed this levy for nearly thirty years.
Levy Assessment:
At thirty-five cents per thousand dollars assessed property value, the levy will provide paramedic responders and the funds necessary to support replacement of ambulances and equipment, offset rising fuel costs, continue mandated training, continue community CPR and First Aid training and provide training and support to our firefighters and first responders.
Benefits Provided:
The levy provides funding for dual-function paramedic/firefighters and local low-cost ambulance transport service as compared to private companies. Funds generated will allow East County Fire and Rescue to discontinue billing for EMS response. Rapid response of a local ambulance based within the community improves patient outcomes and keeps our community safe.
Written by:
Kevin Bergstrom -------------------- Statement against:
I understand that having a paramedic ambulance arrive in the first minutes of a medical emergency can save lives.
I understand that if this Emergency Medical Services Levy fails, that Camas ambulance will stop serving our area.
I have concerns for the health and safety of East County residents if our paramedics go away.
I just wish that our Legislature would take the decisive action necessary to ensure that “essential services” like paramedic ambulances, fire departments and law enforcement get priority funding. However, the current property taxing system is a free-for-all.
Written by:
Ken Beaver -------------------- (No rebuttal of
'statement for' was submitted) -------------------- Rebuttal of
'statement against':
We couldn’t agree more that we all need to prioritize our essential services. Paramedic ambulances have served the citizens of East County for over thirty years. A yes vote will assure the proper funding to ensure our safety once again. We cannot afford to lose this life saving, essential service. Please join us and vote yes for EMS.
July 25, 2008
Levy retains rapid response
 Vote “yes” for the EMS levy for East County Fire and Rescue on the Aug. 19 primary ballot to retain paramedic and ambulance service, which will most likely cease if this second levy doesn’t pass. ECFR serves those who live in the southeast corner of Clark County (excluding the cities of Camas and Washougal).
If it fails and you call 911, there might be no ambulance service as close. You might need to wait 60 additional minutes for another ambulance service and then pay an additional charge. Do you know how to handle these emergencies while driving someone to the hospital in your personal car if the alternate ambulance system can’t come? Heart attack, broken bones, coma, drowning, serious bleeding — could you even carry them to your car by yourself?
The annual levy cost is about $105 per year for $300,000 house for 24-hour service. For more answers, visit
www.emsyes.org.
Barbara Rider
Camas
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
July 24, 2008
No nearby ambulance service?
 Every second counts in an emergency but one local community may be faced with the harsh reality of no nearby ambulance service. Anita Kissee shows us why folks in the rural areas around Camas and Washougal may have to wait almost 45 minutes for a ride to the hospital, if that ride comes at all.
EMSyes.org comment: KATU reporter Anita Kissee reports incorrectly near the beginning of this clip that ECFR has Paramedics on staff. ECFR is not licensed to employ Paramedics, and thus only has Emergency Medical Technicians and Medical First Responders on staff.
(Many thanks to KATU staff for making this report available to EMSyes.org)
© 2008 Fisher Communications
(KATU Portland Channel 2)
July 24, 2008
East County Fire & Rescue urges voters to consider levy
By John Branton
Columbian Staff Writer
 Here’s a wake-up call for the 10,106 people who live
in the large rural area wrapped around the cities of Camas and
Washougal.
It’s time to think about the emergency medical service levy, to be
on the Aug. 19 special election ballot, says Chief Scott Koehler with
East County Fire & Rescue. It requires a 60 percent majority to
pass.
“We’re holding our breath, hoping it flies,” Koehler said
Wednesday. “And if it doesn’t fly, I really don’t want to think
about the alternatives.”
If the proposition to charge 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed property
valuation fails, Camas officials have said they will stop sending their
ambulances into the district when people are badly hurt, perhaps in a
car crash, or very ill.
After Sept. 1, if the proposal fails, East County firefighters will
continue to respond to both fires and medical calls, which make up about
75 percent of total calls.
But ECF&R has no paramedics trained to provide advanced life
support. Only about 20 of its 45 volunteers have basic life support
training.
These emergency medical technicians can perform CPR, use a heart
defibrillator, splint broken bones, give first aid and even deliver
babies if necessary.
But they can’t start an IV fluid line or analyze heart rhythms, and
they can’t give cardiac medications that might be needed if someone
suffers a heart attack.
In addition, the fire district has no ambulance or other vehicle that
legally could be used to rush someone to a hospital.
If an ambulance was needed after Sept. 1, someone would have to call
a service such as AMR Northwest, which has a contract to serve other
areas of Clark County. AMR has no contract to serve the east-county
area, so it’s unknown whether AMR would respond to a call, Koehler
said.
Currently, Camas is sending its ambulances into the east-county area,
with user fees that charge a patient about $1,150. But federal law says
Medicare and Medicaid ambulance patients cannot be billed for more than
$320, and most ambulance patients are senior citizens.
Also, it can be hard to collect anything from patients who have no
insurance or money.
“Right now, it’s costing the city of Camas more money to provide
ambulance service to us than they are taking in,” Koehler said.
Thus the change planned for Sept. 1 for the 58-square-mile
east-county area.
“If someone is having trouble breathing or having a heart attack,
or is just very ill, I would think they would want paramedic treatment
and rapid response,” Koehler said.
The proposed 35 cent levy would cost $105 per year for property worth
$300,000.
Voters rejected the proposal twice in 2006. In 2007, the ECF&R
board voted not to offer it without widespread community support since
elections cost about $15,000.
Now, with the prospect of no ambulances or paramedics from Camas, the
board is trying again. But Koehler said residents seem unaware of their
options.
“Most people we have contact with know nothing of the ambulance
issue,” Koehler said.
For example, he said he gets angry calls from residents who get bills
from ECF&R for services provided, $413 for a medical call, $500 for
a car crash or water rescue. Those user service fees have been in place
since Jan. 1, 2007.
To help folks sort out what’s going on, the district mailed out a
fact sheet last week. And a residents group began going door to door
about a week ago.
Holding town meetings hasn’t panned out because few people show up.
Koehler said he understands how folks feel with the poor economy and
other problems.
But he recoils at the thought of someone hurt in a car crash trying
to drive to a hospital — or someone moving a badly injured person who
needs cervical-spine support and other care.
“Until something grabs their attention — and they say ‘this
could be me’ — nothing happens,” he said.
The district’s main number is 360-835-5511.
© 2008 Columbian
Publishing Company (Columbian)
July 23, 2008
East County Fire & Rescue's
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE (EMS) LEVY
Fact Sheet
A postcard mailed by East County Fire & Rescue to residents
 A
25-cent Levy has been placed on the August 19, 2008 ballot.
This EMS Levy funds the
Paramedic Ambulance that serves East County Fire &
Rescue's response area - the unincorporated area around the cities of
Camas and Washougal.
If this EMS Levy is not passed,
Camas Ambulance will stop responding to medical emergencies in East
County Fire & Rescue's response area, effective September 1, 2008.
East County Fire & Rescue Fire Fighters are NOT
Paramedics - they provide only advanced first aid assistance - pending
the arrival of Paramedics.
East County Fire & Rescue residents pay no EMS
Levy costs now.
If the EMS Levy is approved, the owner of a $300,000
home would pay $105 per year - starting in 2009.
If the EMS Levy is approved,
East County Fire & Rescue will discontinue its $413 charge
for EMS First Response to medical emergencies.
If you have questions:
Fire Chief Scott Koehler: 360.835.5511
Visit the District web site: www.EastCoFire-Rescue.org
East County Fire & Rescue serves 10,106
residents in 58 square miles including: Bear Prairie, Fern Prairie,
Jones Creek, Livingston Mountain, Mt Norway and Sunnyside.
July 22, 2008
Vote yes on the EMS levy
 As a resident of Washougal for 28 years, I have seen many positive changes to our community. Now we have the opportunity and responsibility to continue our positive actions.
This August, we are making a decision that will affect our lives and the lives of our loved ones. We will be deciding to continue the current advanced life support ambulance service that has existed for nearly 30 years, or go without and take a 30-year step backwards in modern medicine.
A yes vote on the levy for the residents of East County Fire and Rescue will ensure continued Camas paramedic service - a life-saving paramedic transport service that is vital to the safety of our community.
I have personally made contributions to make sure our ambulances are equipped with the most up-to-date medical equipment available. Let's keep Camas paramedics responding to our calls for aid. Let's make East County a safer place to live! Reinstate the levy that made us partners with the Camas paramedic services. Vote yes on EMS!
Ray Hickey
Washougal
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
July 22, 2008
Emergency Medical Services Levy on August 19th Ballot
Article from the July 2008 Issue of Fully Involved,
the ECF&R Official Newsletter
 An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy will be on
the August 19th mail-in ballot. This levy funds the Paramedic
Ambulance that provides service to East County Fire & Rescue (ECF&R)
residents - in the unincorporated areas around the cities of Camas and
Washougal.
The 35-cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation levy is
paid directly to the Camas Fire Department to offset some of the costs
associated with staffing three (3) Paramedic Ambulances 24/7/365.
Failure of the EMS Levy means that
the City of Camas will stop providing Ambulance Service to East County
Fire & Rescue residents effective September 1st.
East County Fire & Rescue firefighters are not
Paramedics - they provide only Basic Life Support (advanced first aid
assistance) - pending the arrival of Paramedics. ECF&R does
not operate any ambulances - nor transport any patients.
East County Fire & Rescue's taxpayers pay no EMS
Levy now. If the Levy is approved, the owner of a $300,000 home
will pay $105 per year - starting in 2009.
If the EMS Levy is approved, and Camas resumes responsibility
for supplying East County Fire & Rescue with medical training,
medical equipment, and supplies, then ECF&R will discontinue the
$413 charge for EMS First Response to medical emergencies.
© 2008 East
County Fire & Rescue
July 15, 2008
EMS levy has support
August 19th could be the most important day of your life.
In fact, the decision you make could very well save your life. I speak from experience. Just last month my husband suffered a heart attack and required immediate emergency care. ECFR arrived first but lacked the equipment necessary for the situation. We waited for what seemed an eternity for the Camas Fire & Rescue to arrive.
Unfortunately, they were responding from a call in east Vancouver. We are so very thankful for the care and service provided by both districts in ensuring that my husband arrived at the hospital's trauma unit in less than 50 minutes from the onset of the heart attack. The trauma team was equally superb.
However, we are now faced with a dilemma. First, Camas Fire & Rescue will not continue to support east county emergency services. Secondly we are left with inadequate staffing and equipment for ECFR.
You are at risk! For what price will you potentially place you and your family in jeopardy?
If you own a home with an assessed value of $200,000, that price is $70 per year, up $20 from the previous levy which had remained unchanged for 26 years. Obviously, the population has not remained unchanged.
Camas Councilman Greg Anderson is absolutely correct when he said he could not vote against providing people medical attention. We living in Washougal should feel the same. How can we not have 24-hour paramedic service with the equipment necessary to save lives?
Please vote yes for the emergency services levy.
Bonnie Deming
Washougal
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
July 15, 2008
24-hour paramedic service is needed for ECFR residents
 Last week's decision by the Camas City Council to cut off emergency medical service to the East County Fire and Rescue district on September 1 will present some gut-wrenching decisions for all parties involved unless an EMS levy is passed by voters in the district next month.
On August 19, ECFR residents will be asked to pass an emergency services levy of 35 cents per $1000 of assessed valuation, to provide 24-hour ambulance and paramedic service. Now that Camas has voted not to provide service to the area after September 1, voters in the district will either have to pass the levy, or calls for emergency medical help could go unanswered in a worst case scenario.
For ECFR residents, it really has become crunch time. Simply put, if the August 19 levy fails, there would be no guarantees of who would respond to them in a time of an emergency medical crisis - or when - after September 1.
ECFR officials would be in a no-win situation as well, if the levy isn't passed. Without paramedics, EKG machines or an ambulance, ECFR could not provide life-saving emergency medical assistance to residents of their district.
The Camas Fire Department, which could provide service to the district if the levy passes, would have to make some tough choices as well, both from a financial and moral standpoint, if it fails. Would CFD actually discontinue service to the area and not respond to calls for medical help, if voters turn down the levy request? Or, could CFD devise a new system to charge ECFR residents on a per call basis?
The best case scenario, of course, is for voters in ECFR district to pass the levy on August 19, and secure for themselves 24-hour paramedic service. That kind of security simply cannot be measured in dollars and cents.
- Mike Gallagher
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
July 8, 2008
Camas council votes to cut east county EMS
Levy to restore service goes to ECFR voters on Aug. 19
By Dave Kern
Post-Record staff
The Camas City Council Monday night voted to cut off emergency medical service on Sept. 1 to the East County Fire and Rescue district.
The vote was 6-0 with Councilman Greg Anderson abstaining. Anderson said he could not vote for a measure that would deny people medical attention and could not vote against it because of the city's needs.
The council left open the door for service if district voters approved an EMS levy on Aug. 19.
Fire Chief Leo Leon said he would gladly negotiate an agreement to provide service if the levy passes and arrangements are made to pay.
District voters have said no to a 35 cent per $1,000 levy for emergency medical service. Camas and Washougal voters have approved EMS levies.
"I am providing a service for free, which I shouldn't be doing," Leon told the council. He said 85 percent of the department calls are for medical service.
He said the department this year has had 218 calls in the ECFR district.
On Aug. 19, ECFR residents will be asked to pass an emergency services levy of 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The same proposal was soundly defeated twice in 2006.
Leon said ECFR officials understand it is not wise to provide a government service that is not backed by tax money.
Earlier this year, East county Chief Scott Koehler said he is hoping the levy will pass. He said ECFR cannot afford ambulance service and highly trained paramedics.
"I can't believe that our community is unwilling to pay the small amount of money it takes to provide 24-hour paramedic service," Koehler said. "Where is the concern for community health?"
In fact, the area had a 25 cent per $1,000 levy for 26
years.
When the district asked to increase that levy to 35
cents, voters said no.
ECFR voters did approve a fire levy earlier this year
(to hire four firefighters) but fire and EMS levies are separate,
Koehler noted. He hopes residents of his district realize they
cannot afford paramedics, EKG machines at $12,000 each or a $100,000
ambulance.
When a medical call comes, "We keep you alive
until the paramedics arrive," Koehler said.
He said the district never charged residents when
there was an EMS levy. Now, it charges $413 for a medical call and
$300 to respond to a car accident.
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Camas-Washougal
Post-Record)
May 28, 2008
Share cost, share benefit
In a May 23 letter, “Ambulance service costly,” Donald L. Howard discussed the cost of paramedic service to East County Fire & Rescue residents. As fire chief for the city of Camas, I would like to clarify a few of his assumptions.
ECF&R has no paramedic capabilities, it charges a fee for basic first-responder services. When the residents of east county voted down the levy, ECF&R lost a substantial source of revenue that paid for EMS training, medical supplies and equipment. The fee charged is to recoup costs that were supplied through the levy.
Billing by Camas Fire is based on where you reside, not where you’re injured. If you drive into Camas for medical care but live in east county or elsewhere, you will be charged a higher fee because you do not participate in the levy. If your insurance carrier refuses to pay both Camas and ECF&R bills, those claims will be forwarded to collection agencies for reimbursement.
ECF&R and Camas will again ask voters in east county in August to approve an EMS levy
that will guarantee all three jurisdictions the highest level of medical service and end individual billing programs. The cost shared by all, benefits all.
Leo F. Leon
Fire Chief, City of Camas Fire Department
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Columbian)
April 18, 2008
Important Information About Your Paramedic Ambulance Service
A letter mailed by East County Fire & Rescue to residents
Dear Resident of East County Fire & Rescue,
Thank you for voting! We had a 49% turnout in the
February 19th election - and that is great! As most of you know by now,
the Fire Levy lid lift passed with 50.5% of you voting Yes! Again, Thank
You!
The results of the Fire Levy lid lift will not take
effect until April 2009. In the meantime, we are making
preparations to hire the additional personnel needed to start 24/7/365
coverage. The new personnel will begin their duties in April/May
2009. The addition of these personnel will allow us to improve our
service to you.
In other news of the District, we have sold the old
Fern Prairie Fire Station. The proceeds will go towards the new
Station across the street - by the entrance to the Grove Field
airport. We hope to have an Open House / Grand Opening in
July/August 2008 - and will be sending out notices for that event.
Once the new East County Fire Station 1-1, located in
Fern Prairie, is available for occupancy, we will be closing the Orchard
Hills Fire Station (Station 1-5) at 39th Street and Evergreen Way in
Washougal. The Mt. Norway Fire Station (Station 1-4), on SE 352nd
Avenue North of SE 20th Street, will be staffed to cover the eastern
portion of the Fire District. We will then begin upgrading the
living quarters and office space there - in anticipation of 24/7/365
staffing next year.
Meanwhile, Camas Ambulance has informed us that -
effective September 1st - they will discontinue Paramedic Ambulance
Service to East County Fire & Rescue residents unless funding is
reinstated via a $0.35 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy. The
old EMS Levy expired in December 2006 (State law requires EMS Levies to
be renewed every 6 years). East County voters twice voted down
renewal of the EMS Levy in 2006. Camas attempted to make-up lost
revenue (necessary to balance their ambulance budget) by doubling
ambulance transport fees. However, Federal limits on what an
ambulance can charge someone on Medicare or Medicaid have prevented
Camas from collecting enough revenue to offset the cost of providing
service to East County Fire & Rescue residents.
East County Fire & Rescue EMS funds go directly to
the City of Camas - from whom we contract Advanced Life Support
Services, and always have. Camas then gives East County residents
an "in-district" service rate, and supplies East County Fire
& Rescue with disposable medical supplies and EMS training.
Fire Districts are separate governmental entities -
funded only through property taxes. East County Fire
& Rescue's Board of Commissioners has agreed to put a $0.35 EMS Levy
on the August 19th ballot. if that EMS Levy fails - the Fire
District will have to seek Paramedic ambulance service from a private
provider. Early discussions with other Clark County ambulance
providers have found that our call volume is too low to offset the cost
of stationing an ambulance in East County Fire & Rescue territory
24/7/365. therefore, such a unit would have to respond from
Vancouver - which means that arrival time for Paramedics will be
significantly increased.
If you have and questions or suggestions, please feel
free to call Fire Chief Scott Koehler at 360.835.5511. You can
also visit our web site: www.EastCoFire-Rescue.org
for updated information, pictures, and news of your Fire District.
You can also email the Fire Chief or Fire Commissioners using that web
site.
(Signed)
Gary Larson, Chairperson
John Clancy, Fire Commissioner
Victor Rasmussen, Fire Commissioner
Greg Cox, Fire Commissioner
Harry Goodnight, Jr.
March 16, 2008
East County paramedic service to continue - for now
But if August 19 Levy fails, ambulance service
will be ended
By Dean Baker
Columbian Staff Writer
Update
|
Previously:
The City of Camas warned it would stop noncritical paramedic service on March 12 to rural residents of eastern Clark County because they weren’t paying for it. |
|
What’s new:
Commissioners at the East County Fire & Rescue district have decided to place on the Aug. 19 ballot a 35-cent-per-$1,000 measure, giving residents a chance to vote to pay the same amount as Camas and Washougal residents pay for Camas Emergency Medical Service. |
|
What’s next:
Camas won’t cancel noncritical service to the east county district at least until September, but then will cancel its service to the district entirely if the August levy fails. |
|
WASHOUGAL — The City of Camas has given residents of East County Fire & Rescue district a reprieve on full paramedic service.
The Camas City Council threatened last month to cut off noncritical paramedic service to the district on March 12 because district residents had twice defeated tax levies to pay 35 cents per $1,000 to support the service, the same amount Camas and Washougal residents pay.
But, after the Camas and east county fire chiefs conferred last week with the east county district commissioners, Camas backed off because the district commissioners decided to try again and place a 35-cent-per-$1,000 tax levy on the Aug. 19 ballot.
It will be the last chance for the district voters to keep Camas paramedic and ambulance service, Camas Fire Chief Leo Leon explained.
The east county district has no ambulances or paramedics. It can dispatch its fire engines and lesser-trained emergency medical technicians for 911 calls but otherwise relies on Camas, backed up by American Medical Response.
For 26 years, ambulance service in east county has operated under an interlocal agreement involving Camas, Washougal and Clark County Fire Districts 1 and 9, which merged to become East County Fire & Rescue.
The service operated from 1979 to 2005 on a 25-cents-per-$1,000 levy, Leon said. Then Camas and Washougal voters approved a 10-cent increase. But east county voters balked twice on the levy in 2006, not only refusing an increase but also cancelling the 25-cent levy.
That leaves district voters in a critical spot. If they reject the Aug. 19 levy, Camas will cut off emergency medical service to the district entirely, said Camas Mayor Paul Dennis. That would leave the district with only its fire engines and emergency medical technicians, with less training than Camas’ paramedics, to cover the district’s emergency needs.
“It’s a tough choice, and we don’t like making it,” said Dennis. “But it’s choice we will have to make.”
Koehler and Leon said they believe district voters didn’t understand they were placing the entire emergency medical service in jeopardy. An all-out effort will be made to explain this, the chiefs said.
Dennis explained that Camas can’t afford to carry the east county when residents don’t pay their share.
In addition, he said, Camas’ insurance carrier has warned that, by carrying the east county residents for free, Camas enters into an implied contract, which means that Camas assumes all risks in the district and would be liable for any problems that might arise while serving east county residents.
Still, Dennis said, the Camas council members hated the idea of cutting off the service.
“Many of us have family members in the district, and there are parks out there, and if our family members or city residents get hurt there, or need service, the area wouldn’t get service,” Dennis said. “Or they’ll have to get it from AMR (American Medical Response) or somewhere else.” That service would be slower, he said.
“I would remind folks that the bottom line is, if people want service 24 hours a day, they need to pay the cost of providing the service,” East County Fire Chief Scott Koehler said. “User-funded approaches don’t even break even, and there is not enough call volume to handle the service in the district without some kid of government support.”
The 35-cent tax doesn’t pay all expenses. When transported by Camas ambulance, an east county resident pays and additional $1,000 user fee, while Camas and Washougal patients pay $500, Camas Fire Chief Leo Leon said. But either user fee may be limited to $320, if the patient is on Medicare or Medicaid. Those programs cap the fee at that amount, he said.
The higher fee has been charged in east county since voters there twice rejected the 35-cent-per $1,000 tax levies for EMS Service.
Passage may be difficult, officials said.
Complicating the east county situation is the fact that the east county voters also have failed to pass a levy for other services. On Feb. 19, east county barely passed a fire protection lid lift to increase property taxes from 84 cents to $1.25 per $1,000, bringing the agency an extra $640,000 per year starting in 2009, enough to keep at least one firefighter in both main stations at all times.
The ambulance service is separate from fire protection, officials said. They’ll be working to make voters understand that.
© 2008 Columbian Publishing Company
(Columbian)
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