County support for International Falls ambulance service presented to public

Support for ambulance services, but some Koochiching County residents question the need for a subordinate service district to help fund the International Falls Ambulance Service.

Under the proposal, the County would contract ambulance services from the city, and impose a fee or charge to cover the cost.

The Board of Commissioners is exploring different options.

A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening to discuss the idea.

The city’s ambulance services had been debt-ridden for several years.

City officials cite insurance subsidies, which they say do not reflect the true cost of providing the services.

Former City Councillor Gail Rogenrud applauds the County’s efforts.

She says the city has long tried to resolve the funding crisis without success.

“We weren’t allowed to raise our rates beyond a certain percentage each year, which we tried to do,” says Rogenrud.

“We saw that we were going downhill, and we didn’t know what to do. Our plea to the council way back then was, well, be fair, why shouldn’t everyone who expects that ambulance to show up at their house when they have their heart attack, or they have some kind of an accident? Why shouldn’t everyone who wants that ambulance to come to their house help pay for it? “

City of Rainer Mayor Dennis Wagner favours a sales tax to generate revenue, instead of imposing a flat fee or a charge based on property assessment.

“I . . . have no problem paying, but I’m here representing the property owners of Rainer, and they will pay their share,” says Wagner.

” I have no problem with that. I always pay my share, but how is everybody going to pay their share equally here?”

County officials admit that it is one of the issues yet to be determined.

Some residents are not in support of the district.

Bob feels the city should reconsider its ambulance service as an advanced life support one.

“Maybe we need to go back to basic ambulance service like Littlefork has, or Kabetogama has an ambulance, and things like that, without all the bells and whistles,” says Wall.

Others say ALS service is needed because the region’s limited emergency services, and that paramedics can perform medical services that emergency medical technicians (EMTs) can not.

County commissioners are expected to make a final decision on the proposal in the coming weeks.