Elk Rapids Consider Cuts To Ambulance Fund
ELK RAPIDS -- A Northern Michigan Township plan to cut thousands of dollars from its ambulance fund has some EMT workers worried about public safety.
Elk Rapids Township Officials are hoping to eliminate $40,000 from their 2011 budget; even thought there is not budget deficit. However, officials say they are facing a reduction in tax revenue and making cuts now makes sense.
The proposed plan is to cut ambulance station hours from twelve hours a day through the year, to twelve hours a day for the 4 busiest months and 8 hours for the remainder of the year. All sick, vacation, and holiday benefits for workers will also be eliminated if the plan is approved.
Elk Rapids Ambulance Advisor, Christine Keenan says “We have 13 dedicated people that have given up their lives. They’ve gone through training and education. They do it tirelessly. I think their biggest fear is that they won’t be able to respond on a timely basis. They know community will suffer.”
Elk Rapids Township Supervisor, Bill White says “I don’t feel it’s a cut. It is living within the millage rate that we have levied. We feel we should live with that millage.”
EMT Specialist, Shawnna Branding says cuts will affect response time. “Currently we have 1 person manning the station. When a call comes in the truck is out within a minute of the 911 call. If we are not here, some of us live 10 minutes away. Depending on what happens we are looking at up to 20 minutes before someone can get to a call.”
