Ossining EMS: A Tax District?

[vtach39680 23]

found this on lohud.com this morning. I am interested in how it will turn out. sounds like they need the money not just for "paid staff" but for general operations as well.

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID...EWS02/808170346

Edited August 18, 2008 by x635

[ems-buff 81]

How can an EMT get a job there? I don't see anything posted anywhere.

[jack10562 414]

It's about time that they get some real financing going, other than the proceeds of their annual fund drive and insurance billing. I'll gladly pay (a tax) to keep them afloat. I've donated all along.

The Village currently gives OVAC squat. nada. Imagine that... free EMS.

[Goose 188]

More or less status quo for the majority of Westchester's towns/villages and smaller cities. They want the world but are not willing to pay the freight.

[x635 4,066]

You have fire districts for the same reasons as above, so why not EMS districts?

This is something that's been LONG overdue and am pleased to see Ossining taking this progressive step to ensure it's ambulance's are staffed.

[JFLYNN 681]

Does anyone on here know if the option of putting the entire EMS / transport contract out to competitive bid had been explored ?

[Goose 188]

The real problem here is the fact that the towns and villages in this god forsaken county have yet to understand that EMS is a vital service, just as your PDs and FDs are. Until that happens, your going to have to fight tooth and nail and every single dollar. I'm not a big supporter of the volunteer system, but if OVAC can guarantee a reasonable response time (under 10 minutes) within its district 24/7/365 i would like to see them stay in business. I cringe every time a municipality looks to penny pinch by sub contracting out EMS. Would they ever look to sub contract out their PD or FD? Hell no.