Agenda - 04-21-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SOUTH ORANGE RESCUE SDUAO AGENDA ATTACHMENT 11 --DRAFT PREPARED FOR THE SORS MEMBERSHIP-- In response to Mr. Gattis' presentation of Monday, March 16, 1981, the membership of the South Orange Rescue Squad, in unanimous agreement, present the following thoughts: In order to reduce the rate of growth of the expenses required to provide the continued high quality emergency medical care expected by the citizens of Orange County, it is vital to maintain the spirit of volunteerism which has existed for so long, and has provided this level of care. We recognize the coanty's need to generate income to support EMS, however the membership of SORS feels that "fee for service" is an unacceptable means to obtain additional revenues. It occurs to us thatthe county has failed to recognize that "fee for service" is a major conflict with the ideals and philosophies held by volun- teers at SORS. It seems to us to be basically wrong for the county to require fees for services provided on a voluntary basis. This is a matter at the heart of the incentive far giving these services. We recognize the fact that some services are provided by county-Paid Monday through Friday daytime crews, but feel that the majority of the coverage --nights, weekends, backup and Code III-- are provided on a volunteer basis. The majority of the members of SORS feel that "fee for service" would be an abuse of volunteer time and services. We also believe that this would severely jeopardize continued volunteer effort. The fact that the Orange County EMS is still basically a volunteer system distinguishes us from the "ranks of the surrounding counties in instituting a financing plan which will include user fees and tax base dollars". In addition to feeling that "fee for service" would destroy the incentive we have as volunteers in giving our services, we believe that "fee for service" activities will preclude donations which currently reduce our need fry: county generated dollars. Similarly the non-dollar services we receive from our service community would be severly reduced, if not totally eliminated.