HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4 - Written Communications - SpringerFrom: Jo Anne Springer <luvwhales1@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2021 12:52 PM
To: Mary Salas <MSalas@chulavistaca.gov>; Jill Galvez <jmgalvez@chulavistaca.gov>; John McCann
<jmccann@chulavistaca.gov>; Steve C. Padilla <spadilla@chulavistaca.gov>; Andrea Cardenas
<acardenas@chulavistaca.gov>; Maria Kachadoorian <mkachadoorian@chulavistaca.gov>; Glen Googins
<GGoogins@chulavistaca.gov>
Subject: RE: Fire Dept. Taking Control of Ambulance Services
With regard to the proposed management of ambulance services by
the Chula Vista Fire Dept., I am aware that the following que stions
have already been brought to your attention. Please add my voice to those
who have already asked them as I believe them to be pertinent to this issue.
I implore you to please, please put the needs, concerns, and costs to be
borne of and by the citizens of this city first and foremost above all others.
To proceed with an approval without addressing these concerns would be an
absolute dereliction of your sworn duties.
Proposed EMS System & Staffing Model
• It is my understanding that AMR utiliz es state-of-the art
Computer Aided Dispatch systems with a group of dedicated
System Status Controllers to move ambulances around to make
ensure equitable coverage in Bonita, Imperial Beach and Chula
Vista. What is the annual cost that the city anticipates for
acquiring and maintaining appropriate technology like AMR
utilizes?
• Who will have oversight over Chula Vista Fire Department
response time compliance in the communities under the EOA
(Bonita, Imperial Beach and Chula Vista)?
• To date, the city of Chula Vista has enjoyed a seamless quality
9-1-1 EMS transport service with no system issues. What is the
purpose for the city to adopt a new system?
• Why didn’t the city go out to a competitive bid process? Why
did the city only consider one EMS proposal submitted by AP
Triton/CVFD?
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Item 4 - Written Communications - Springer
• It is my understanding that a fully staffed ambulance transport
system for the Chula Vista EOA w ould require 56 full time
employees and 14 ambulances; however the city is planning to
hire 48 full time employees and deploy 10 ambulances. Can the
CVFD fully staff the system with 48 full time employees and 10
ambulances? Please provide a side -by-side of current AMR
staffing plan and CVFD’s proposal.
Wages
• Currently a top step AMR paramedic earns approximately
$92,000 with a 3.7% increase each year. How much is the city
planning to retain AMRs top step employees, who are already
familiar with our system, at the same pay scale? Would you
please provide me with a side-by-side of AMR wages and CVFD’s
projected wage proposal?
• Will the City of Chula Vista be replacing the lifelong AMR
employees who are well compensated?
Technology
• Would you please provide me with a side -by-side of AMRs
current system Status Control staffing plan and technology and
CVFD’s proposal including management and h uman resources
personnel? I have serious concerns that CVFD’s proposal and
technology and staffing plan will not be adequate to meet the
needs of the system.
Surrounding Communities
• Should the City of Chula Vista insource their emergency
transportation system, is the City of Chula Vista solely liable for
all EMS litigation and related legal costs in the EOA, including
vehicle accidents and patient medical care incidents that arise in
the communities of Bonita and Imperial Beach?
Surge Capacity and Mutual Aid
Item 4 - Written Communications - Springer
• Has the City entered into Mutual Aid agreements with
surrounding areas to provide assistance during times of high
system demand? What are CVFD’s plans for surge capacity in the
event of a large-scale incident?
The following commentaries have raised issues that the Council appears to be
ignoring, and yet they present concerns that are extremely dismaying to the
residents of Chula Vista. This plan appears to be determined to burden residents
with exceptionally high costs that we currently do not have while enjoying the
benefit of good, solid ambulance service when needed. You are going to put people
in the position of risking their lives unncessarily because you have hijacked their
ability to pay. For shame.
While all of the commentaries raise issue that should be addressed by you, in
particular, please address the commentary by Pablo Quil antan:
• GUEST COMMENTARY: CV's Decision on Ambulances Questioned | |
• http://laprensa-sandiego.org/guest-commentary-chula-vista-now-paying-
significantly-more-for-an-ambulance-trip-to-the-hospital/
• https://www.thestarnews.com/citys-paramedic-plan-a-gamble/
Sincerely,
Jo Anne Springer
Resident of Chula Vista
Item 4 - Written Communications - Springer