Quoted Text

Rotterdam

Despite criticism from Town Supervisor Harry Buffardi, officials with Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services have vowed to submit a bid to the town to renew their contract to provide ambulance and paramedic services to residents.

"The service is far from flawless," said Buffardi Thursday, a day after the Town Board voted 4-1 to seek a request for proposals for an emergency medical service provider. The governing body also adopted a $19.71 million general and highway fund budget.

Buffardi maintains that hiring an outside provider for ambulance and paramedic services will save the municipality upwards of $700,000 annually. Right now, REMS provides the ambulance service while the paramedics fall under the police department.


Buffardi also complained about the poor response times of REMS, citing an emergency call a few weeks ago where their employees put the heart attack patient backward or feet first into the ambulance and refused to drive the woman to the hospital.

Dean Romano, a member of the board of directors, said Buffardi has it all wrong.

He contends the woman died of a pre-existing condition and that it's "medically insignificant" if a patient is placed into the ambulance feet- or head-first.

"There may have been a reason the patient went in feet-first, and there is no such thing as forward or backward," said Romano, acknowledging most patients are usually placed head-first into ambulances. Romano, who also serves as a volunteer with REMS, said that 95 percent of the time the company meets the 9-minute response time stipulated in their contract. He disputed the cost-savings the town would realize by awarding the contract to an outside company.

During two public hearings, most residents urged the governing body to renew REMS' contract, which expires later this month.

Asked why he kept silent during public hearings on emergency service if REMS was doing such a bad job, the supervisor said he "was trying to keep it as a budgetary argument" instead of making the discussions personal. He also stressed the even though he has criticized REMS, the outfit also does good work.

"We didn't want to turn it into something controversial that was going to inflame the situation because the work they do is really good," said Buffardi. "I thought it was perverse to go to the point to scare the people like the frail and elderly that need this service."

Ron Caster, assistant chief of operations for REMS, said the debate has become personal because Deputy Supervisor Wayne Calder's son-in-law works for Mohawk Ambulance, which appear to be REMS' main competition.

The 2014 Rotterdam spending plan calls for a 1.66 percent tax hike, right at the state tax cap, with an $11.94 million tax levy.

The budget also includes a new $50-a-year leaf and brush pick up fee, which homeowners can opt out of. Water fees for residents, except those living in Rotterdam Junction, will rise from $25 to $75.

Several Town Hall employees, including Calder, the town attorney, and confidential secretary plus police brass are getting pay raises.

Dates to remember

Dec. 2: Bids are due

Dec. 5: A special meeting will be held for representatives of the prospective companies to make a presentation to the Town Board

Dec. 13: Town Board vote to award the contract for ambulance/paramedic services.

Quoted Text

The Town Board of the Town of Rotterdam hereby approves the formation of the Rotterdam Emergency Medical Board and authorizes the charter for said Board.
§ 27-2
Membership.
The membership of said Board consists of the following:
A.
Two members from the Rotterdam Town Board.
B.
Two members from the Rotterdam Police Department.
C.
Two members from the current Town-based ambulance service provider.
D.
Two members from the fire department rescue squads as nominated by the Rotterdam Chief's Association.
E.
Two residents at large from the Town of Rotterdam.
§ 27-3
Officers and meetings.
The Town Board shall appoint a Chairperson and a Recording Secretary. The Board shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in § 27-5 of this article.
§ 27-4
Powers and duties of Board.
The powers and duties of the Board shall be to:
A.
Advise the Town Board of the Town of Rotterdam on all matters regarding emergency medical services affecting the health, safety and welfare of the people of the Town, including emergency preparedness.
B.
Facilitate cooperation, leadership and strong working relationships between all emergency service providers in the Town.
C.
Promote quality patient care through collaboration.
D.
Advise the Town Board of the Town of Rotterdam of new development in technology and cost-saving measures affecting basic life support, advanced life support and transportation services.
E.
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups and individuals within the Town of Rotterdam in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
F.
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Town Board and to carry out such tasks or responsibilities, consistent with the objectives of this chapter, as may be assigned by resolution of the Town Board.
§ 27-5
Reports.
The Board shall submit an annual report to the Town Board, not later than the first day of April of each year, concerning the activities and work of the Board and from time to time shall submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
§ 27-6
Compensation and expenses.
The members of the Board, including ex officio members, shall receive no compensation for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties within the appropriations made available thereto.