LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - OCTOBER 7, 2018 CUSTOMIZED T-SHIRTS • HATS • JACKETS • TOWELS EMBROIDERY MAKES GREAT GIFTS FOR YOUR FAMILY • FRIENDS • ETC. 1 Church St. | LeRoy, NY 14482 | 768-2201 | www.lpgraphics.net Letter to the Editor Ok. I'm going to weigh- in on the LeRoy Ambulance Service (LAS) tax district proposal. First, I'm the past chief of the ambulance, both in a full-time then part-time capacity from 2009 to 2017. I have moved on to focus on my primary fire and educator career and stepped down from leading the operations last summer. The ambulance provides extraordinary services to this community. Between the responses, standbys, and not to mention the educational component of CPR/First-Aid classes, EMT courses and youth involvement (LeRoy sports, Boy Scouts, nursery schools, etc.). I have read your comments and concerns. So, let me explain the other ambulance company “promised” solution that most of you keep falling back to. They would cover LeRoy like one of their other communities they have under contract. A contract built on response times and percentages that are not what you are currently getting. A contract that leaves you without options because once you commit, you become just another town on their list of many, with no other option to choose when they own it all. Right now, if you call 911, and LAS is not already providing service to one of your fellow neighbors in need, then LAS will be at your door. If the other ambulance company was here, if one of the neighboring town's citizen calls 911 then your "LeRoy" promised rig is gone to help them. They are not committed solely to LeRoy like LAS, they have contracts beyond contracts to entertain. Just a number rather than a resident, contrary to what you may be fed. The county seat or the park to the west have a bunch of calls? Where do you think your “LeRoy" promised rig is going? It's getting pulled to cover the call volume and the other facility contracts it has. It won’t be here 24/7 365. Were just a piece of their big puzzle. Your LAS provides 90+% call coverage.And that's not 350 runs a year like the fire district, that’s over a 1000 requests a year in the Village and Town of LeRoy. That is an ALS crew within minutes of your sick or hurt loved ones. LAS has the equipment, personnel, and experience necessary to help you and your loved ones and as the past Chief and a taxpayer, trust me the people the service has helped are walking around right next to you and I in the great local restaurants, grocery and hardware stores. LAS is a community ambulance service. LAS is "LeRoy" driven just as the police department and fire department are. No one doubts the police and fire department's commitment, nor should they question the commitment of LAS (previously LVA) over the past 45+ years. LAS is one of the few community ambulance services left. The big guys have pushed out the community-first services and added to their depth charts (Caledonia, Brockport, etc). Mostly to blame is the insurance industry but that is for the current chiefs and board members to entertain like they did tonight. Some comments discuss the operating budget and wages. The wages are average for the region, and less than Monroe County. The cost of payroll, medical supplies, fuel, vehicle maintenance, the aging building, and required insurance is more than the income. Not because of poor fiscal responsibility but because the insurance industry doesn't always pay today for a transport today. Sometimes it may be months before it is paid. We live in a society that believe it or not people don't pay their bills. People cash checks mailed to them by their insurance providers intended to pay their ambulance bill. Your state elected representatives have been told this for years but don’t fix it, let alone let it get past the insurance subcommittees. Some people don't pay even after creditors come after them trying to collect for the services provided. So, to think a board of some of the most respected people, business people, in our community can't be fiscally responsible is asinine. Some asked about the fire district and ambulance. Currently it is not legal for fire districts to bill for service, ambulance or not. Another elected state official topic of concern from many agencies around the state. The fire district and the ambulance are separate and that's the way it will always be. Those unfamiliar, I understand it has to be confusing but welcome to part of the battle for the community driven ambulance services around NYS. Now the police department running the ambulance, that EMS model is only being done in the Town of Tonawanda, NY. Hopefully I won't be getting pulled over for saying this, but it works there. The topic of a board oversight committee should be noted. This allows the town board to have representatives that monitor the ambulance service continuously. Wouldn't you like an oversight committee on all town and village services and districts? This is the ambulance willingly opening the doors for transparency. Nothing to hide. And there are comments coming in strictly based on grudges and personality conflicts about the subject, its members, or the organization. Everyone might not agree with what is being said or proposed but at the end of the day LeRoy Ambulance is your local community ambulance service that is here for LeRoy and its residents. LeRoy first and only. The board members, paramedics and EMTs don’t play the negative comment game on here, they do their jobs as professionals and would help anyone in need, and they do! Don't be disrespectful towards an organization that is based on helping those in need and those experiencing the worst moment of their lives. And strictly said, don’t be disrespectful if you work alongside or you've earned a check from the organization. LeRoy is a great community, built on tradition. Built on blue-collar work and it is a place where everyone has pride in LR. A town with pride in public safety. Public safety that escorts the champions in the spring, winter, and fall. Rigs rolling down Main Street during the Oatkafest Parade. The ambulance has been here since the 70s and is part of the LeRoy tradition. From the all- volunteer days of LVA to the professional and LeRoy first model of LAS today. Sincerely, Chuck Hammon