I am writing as a member of the Baker City Budget Board to express my concern about the potential sale of Baker City’s remaining EMT vehicle asset discussed during the recent Baker City Council special meeting.

It is vital to consider the revenue generation and positive cultural impact that the BCFD MTS (Baker City Fire Department Medical Transport Services) could have on funding future BCFD equipment. Before losing another valuable revenue source for the city, we must carefully evaluate these factors. Let’s not forget, the loss of BCFD EMT sustainable revenue created the $1 million shortfall resulting in the BCFD morale downfall.

I propose investigating a revised contract service agreement between Baker City and the third party ambulance service. This agreement would exclusively limit their response to 911 calls, while Baker City would resume providing “medical transport services” (MTS) between Baker City and Boise, Idaho, hospitals. By utilizing our currently idle $218,000 ambulance asset we can ensure its productive use, aid BCFD funding in fiscal 2024 and beyond, and provide a critical safety service to the city.

Baker City could adopt a “scheduled” ambulance (BCFD) service, eliminating the need for 24/7/365 employees. MTS employees would be hired as 1099 contract workers, following a tiered pricing structure based on the severity of the patient’s needs.

Implementing this framework would create additional income opportunities within BCFD, benefitting St. Luke and St. Al’s hospitals, and the local community. It would also attract new BCFD applicants by offering increased income opportunities and training.

What was the BCFD EMT general fund revenue generated by Baker City FD EMT services for MTS between Baker City and Boise, Idaho, hospitals from 2019 to 2022, prior to termination? If I’m making this decision I’d want to know if I’m being shortsighted selling a revenue generating City owned asset. Maybe if the prior Council had asked that question we’d still have the $1 million ambulance sustainable revenue, content BCFD, and no shortfall.

I hope the City Council will carefully consider these proposals and address the questions raised before deciding on the sale of the City asset, as advocated by Waggoner.

Michael Russell

Baker City