STATE
EXCLUSIVELY LICENSES AMBULANCE PROVIDER AND BY AGREEMENT CITY AND AMBULANCE
COMPANY CAN GO WHEREVER THEY WANT TO FASHION CITY ORDINANCE
October 30th City Council
meeting had ONE item on the agenda. The task at hand was for the City to work
constructively with the Gold Cross Ambulance to set standards for ambulance
services in the city. It doesn’t seem too difficult since both parties worked
for nearly two years to do so. The State of Utah picked Gold
Cross
Ambulance to service the City of Saint George thus putting to bed the turmoil
of two years past when Dixie Ambulance was called to task for alleged inefficiencies……ultimately
ending with the closing of Dixie Ambulance and unfortunate bankruptcy
proceedings.
I feel it important to mention this as I
believe the City contributed to the demise of said business…..If not
intentionally…..Surely for lack of attention or failure to recognize a call for
relief and or assistance. Once the State of Utah was pressed to act upon
reported concerns it was, in my opinion, too late for the City to act in a
responsible way. Staying true to form those in a position to have done
something meaningful ran for cover. A pitiful excuse was offered that it was
the State of Utah’s responsibility to oversee and enforce laws regulating
ambulance service. It reminded me of an old song “I didn’t know the gun was
loaded”, and I’m so sorry my friend.
Regardless of the reasons or causes for
the failure of Dixie Ambulance the end result is the same. It is dead and gone
never to return. The City has thus been presented with a golden opportunity to
amend perceived inaction and to create a new and improved ordinance that will
protect citizens. As I looked upon the determined faces of Mayor and Council I
was impressed to study the face of City Manager Esplin, who appeared silent/subdued
yet attentive. Not until the end did he speak leading council
out of quagmire of inaction.
And so it began…..The strokes of good
intentions paving the way to consider amending Title 3, Chapter 2, Article F:
Setting standards for Ambulance Service in the city. The spotlight was placed
on City Attorney, Shawn Guzman who
proceeded to walk us through each and every aspect of the proposed amendment. I
must say that he did an admirable job of conveying 18 months of work that
presented the intentions of the city to protect citizens……Putting into words
for all to see a level of oversight and accountability previously found
lacking. I thought it to be a step in the right direction…..Especially in light
of the City’s reluctance to discuss or admit to the need for Code Enforcement
Reform. In my mind’s
eye
I could see the Mayor and City Attorney digging their heels into the ground not
wanting the public to see or hear any connection with the fact that Code
Enforcement Reform is in play and
certainly wished to avoid any semblance of appearance that City is admitting
the need for improvement, thus weakening their defense in fighting allegations
put forth in the Class Action Lawsuit filed against the City. (Sir
Walter Scott, “Oh, what a tangled web
we weave, when first we practice to deceive). The
proposed ordinance having been summarized, Mayor Pike called upon each Council
Member to submit clarification questions or to provide salient comments.
Councilman Bowcutt asked about number of ambulances required to be in
compliance with State Standards and duty of local government in establishing
standards. Councilman Hughes asked about Local Law having precedence over State
Law, prompting Fire Chief Stoker to state that the City can be more restrictive
but not less restrictive than State Law. Councilwoman Randall initially stated
that she had nothing for now, but latter stated that what was written a year
and a-half ago “I had no part in writing what was under way before I got
involved.” I was left with impression that Randall wanted to
avoid any appearance of bias especially as she had been
owner of Dixie Ambulance. Latter in response to Gold Cross Attorney, Steve
Urquhart…..Randall stated “I am not sure you have found anything you agree
with” and referring to Gold Cross dispatching its own calls, “We
can’t have that….. Salt Lake City dispatching…..
Where is ambulance?” Referring to number of available ambulances and calls for
service, Randall stated “Population has not dwindled and it is not resolved,
where you are (Ambulance)
and each private call you are at. Like it or not I believe Randall is clearly, emotionally
involved with issue of regulating Ambulance Service. Understandably so…..I
believe Randall is knowledgeable in the field of Ambulance Service and can
effectively contribute to the process…..If
she is not predisposed to denying the “By Agreement” clause referred to in
State Law. I fear that Randall may have inadvertently revealed that she has
already decided against Gold Cross dispatching their own private calls for
service no matter what may be said to mitigate the
difference between “Emergency
9ll Calls” and Private Non-Emergency Calls.
Gold Cross Attorney, Steve Urquhart
presented the fact that this was the first time he and his client had met with
the council and suggested State Law had not been complied with in that the
ordinance had to be adopted By Agreement
of both Parties. Mr. Urquhart stated the law must be adhered to. There then was
a mixing of Apples and Oranges when attempting to separate and identify the
difference between Emergency Calls (Apples) and
Non-Emergency Calls (Oranges)…..Further
complicated by inserting the need to
not
infringe
on Private
Business
(Folks,
follow the money-Private Calls). The Mayor
said to the Council “We are all Business People. Mayor Pike invited Gary Stone,
operations manager, Intermountain Healthcare at Dixie Regional Medical Center (Who
also employees Mayor) to share his expertise as it
relates to Business and Ambulance Service (Great
contribution). To clarify a Private Call
for service (NO Red Lights or Siren) may
unexpectedly become an Emergency Call (Requiring
Red Lights and Siren.) Dispatch has responsibility
to direct emergency units running with Red Lights and Siren to prevent
collisions of units utilizing the same space believing they have unimpeded
access to intersections and roadway. The infringement of Private Business
Interests having been made I will take the liberty to speak on behalf of
Dispatch and state unequivocally that Protection of Life and Property should
always take precedence over Private Business ventures. Thank you, ED BACA
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