User fees may help pay for two new ambulances

Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the possibility of increased ambulance and paramedic user fees to help pay for two new Ramona Fire Department ambulances at a public hearing on May 10.

The hearing will be held during the Ramona Municipal Water District Board meeting at 2 p.m. Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane. The water district contracts with Cal Fire for fire department services.

The rate hike was proposed at the board’s April 12 meeting by Ramona Fire Department/Cal Fire staff and the water board’s fire ad hoc committee, consisting of board president Thomas Ace and vice president Darrell Beck, as a way to fund the new ambulances. In the past, the district relied on Indian gaming grants to purchase equipment but those opportunities are not available, said staff.

Fire department personnel and the fire ad hoc committee also recommended holding a public hearing, which was approved by the board 4-0. Director George Foote was absent.

For residents, the base rate for advance life support (ALS) would rise from $1,173 to $1,523, and for basic life support (BLS), from $1,129 to $1,479. For non-residents, the ALS base rate would rise from $1,474 to $1,824; BLS from $1,474 to $1,824.

In July 2015, the fees were increased for the first time in 10 years to help cover expenses.

The majority of charges are paid by insurance, Medi-cal or Medicare, said staff.

Late last year, fire department officials informed the water board of the aging ambulances and suggested options to fund new vehicles or to contract with a private firm for such services. However, during a Dec. 8 workshop on the future of paramedic transport services, the handful of residents who spoke indicated they did not want to see the current services change.

At the April 12 meeting, directors unanimously authorized entering into an agreement with Frazer LTD to lease/purchase two 2016 Ford F450 ambulances with dedicated air conditioning systems — a recommendation of fire department staff and the fire ad hoc committee. The total lease/purchase cost for the two ambulances is $432,432.

The new ambulances would replace two that are 8 years old — the typical maximum life of an ambulance — and that have had significant mechanical issues, according to the fire department.

Battalion Chief Steve Foster said one ambulance has been out of service for 126 days since January 2015 with maintenance costs of over $13,000 per year.

Foster said they visited multiple agencies and trade shows to learn the pros and cons of different ambulances.

“Our main thing that we were looking at was the air conditioning systems,” he said.

Air conditioning is required for patients, noted David Barnum, the district’s general manager.

Criteria considered for ambulances specific to Ramona were drive time, long distances to hospitals, narrow unfinished roads and steep grades.

Foster said a new ambulance would probably last five to seven years.

“It all depends on the call volume and type of conditions subjected to,” he said.

The goal, Barnum said, is to move the box to a different chassis, when the ambulance has met its service life.

Director Joe Zenovic expressed reservation about purchasing Ford ambulances again, however board president Thomas Ace, a retired fire captain, said, “These ambulances are the industry standard.”

Director Darrell Beck said he hears ambulance sirens all day, and in Ramona “we have a huge geographical area to cover.”

“It costs money to live in the country,” he added.