Fire Board Neutral On Ambulance Cost Issue

The Valley Fire District Board of Commissioners on Friday reluctantly voted to remain neutral on a proposal to charge non-city residents - including Valley residents - roughly the same price for ambulance rides, whether they’re hurt inside or outside city limits.

If accepted by the Spokane City Council, the proposal by Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams would add $100 to $220 to the bill of a non-city resident who needs an ambulance transport within city limits. Valley residents would no longer get a break - paying the lower price charged to city residents.

Commissioners agreed not to oppose the proposal - as long as the city works with them over the next year to make ambulance costs more equitable county-wide.

Currently, ambulance transports in the city cost about $60 to $220 less than county transports, for a variety of reasons. Factors include a higher number of transports, smaller service area and the EMS levy that city property owners must pay. Currently, everyone pays more for county transports and less for city transports, regardless of where they live.

The proposal would roughly equalize costs inside and outside the city for non-city residents. City residents would still pay less inside the city, a point that bothered Valley fire commissioners.

The Spokane City Council will take public comment on this and other budget proposals Monday, at the end of the 6 p.m. council meeting.

, DataTimes