Ambulance utility fee is still being considered

COLLEGE PLACE – Since the College Place Fire Department began basic life support ambulance service on November 1, 2018, Mayor Norma Hernandez said call volumes have increased at a fever pitch putting a heavy burden on the city’s firefighters. As the College Place City Council works on the final fiscal year 2022 budget, council members are looking to include ways to enhance the city’s EMS service given the larger call volumes.

The council is evaluating the concept of an ambulance utility fee which was originally explored back in 2018. Including Fire Chief Dave Winter, the College Place Fire Department has six full-time firefighters/EMS technicians and relies on volunteers and live-in students to round out its staffing.

“The call volume is starting to burn out our volunteer firefighters/EMS,” Hernandez said.

Currently, the College Place Fire Department staffs each shift with one full-time firefighter and volunteers, but Hernandez said Winter’s goal is to figure out how to adjust staffing to allow two full-time firefighters/EMS technicians on per shift.

“We are reengaging on the conversation topic about the ambulance utility since the increase in call volume is dictating the need for additional full-time personnel, which of course costs additional money,” City Administrator Mike Rizzitiello added.

As for advanced life support ambulance service in College Place, the Walla Walla Fire Department continues to offer that service, as does Walla Walla County Fire District No. 4, depending on location.

Rizzitiello said the ambulance utility fee concept will be talked about again at the next city council workshop, which is on Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m.

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Elkhorn Media Group

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