Emergency Services Ask For State Funding

Idaho citizens applying for driver’s licenses may have to fork over four extra dollars in fees if a new bill gets the green light.

Funds collected from the increase would be funneled into the Emergency Medical Services Account to purchase ambulances and equipment for EMS personnel. Advocates hope to raise $1 million a year with the bill.

“Transportation to and from an emergency incident should not be compromised because of a lack of funding,” said George Webb, a Boise firefighter who testified for the bill at Tuesday’s House Transportation meeting.

House Bill 58 was approved by the committee, 12-1, and will later be considered by the House. Rep. Twila Hornbeck, R-Grangeville, sponsored the bill.

But Dave Carlson, director of public affairs for the American Automobile Association of Idaho, did not support the fee increase and had members backing him up.

“Of 650 AAA motorists surveyed on this issue, 96 percent did not support the increase,” Carlson said.

Boise physician Murray Sturkie, who testified for the bill, rebutted, “You know AAA’s motto: `We’ll be there for you’? Well, they’re going to have to be, because we won’t be able to if this bill doesn’t pass.”

Dia Gainor, EMS bureau chief, pleaded with legislators to pass the bill, saying “bake sales and yard sales aren’t enough.”

Of Idaho’s 195 EMS agencies, 43 rely on a single vehicle more than 10 years old. Thirty-four of those vehicles could be replaced after five years if the fee increase is implemented, advocates say.