Letters to the editor Letters to the editor (December 17, 2003)

Fire Chief offers assurances on ambulance service

Editor:

The Joint Powers Authority board of directors has approved an arrangement that will end the Menlo Park Fire Protection District's contract with American Medical Response (AMR) to provide ambulance transport services.

Del Krause, a member of the Menlo Park district board and the JPA board, concurred in the decision, which will end transport services on June 30, 2004.

American Medical Response will continue to operate an ambulance from 300 Middlefield Rd. in Menlo Park, with AMR employees. The Menlo Park fire district is committed to the continued efficient and effective delivery of paramedic services to the residents and visitors of the fire district and San Mateo County.

The district's decision to discontinue ambulance transport services, provided by district firefighters, is strictly an economic decision. It is the district's board of directors' belief that ambulance transport services, in San Mateo County, should be a fire department-based system.

When a request for proposal for the ambulance contract becomes available, the Menlo Park Fire District stands ready to join with the JPA and other fire agencies in the county to respond with a fire department-based transport proposal.

Paul S. Wilson
Fire Chief
Menlo Park Fire Protection District

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