Carefree Truth
Issue #561, April 21, 2017
Gary Neiss reported that the Town met with Rural/Metro (R/M) Fire Chief Ted Beam, the R/M Fire Chief for the Central Arizona Region, and local R/M Chief John Kraetz to discuss ways the Town could offset the inflationary increase in the contract with R/M which would add approximately $35,000 in the coming fiscal year (FY), compounded thereafter. Two opportunities presented themselves to generate revenue to offset the annual increase.
The first allows revenue to be captured through a lease for the ambulance to be parked at the Carefree fire house. This model is used by Fountain Hills and generates $30,000 a year, with a 3% inflator for the lease.
The second involves R/M responses using Carefree's fire truck and fire fighters in the R/M service area outside of the Town of Carefree. If R/M responds to a call from a non subscriber to their service, they will bill for their response. Carefree has a Mutual Aid (MA) agreement with R/M, so our equipment and personnel are sometimes utilized in these calls. Carefree has no agreement in place to recapture these charges. This would codify an approach matching R/M's protocol for collection when responding to a MA request outside of Carefree, whereby non subscribers would be billed for responses using Carefree's resources. The billing process would correspond to R/M's respective schedule currently in place. This is anticipated to generate approximately $5,000 annually. Between the two contracts, the $35,000 annual inflator would be offset.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer found the concept extremely creative. Vice Mayor John Crane credited Mr. Neiss for the idea and for doing the research. Mayor Peterson said that Chiefs Beam and Kraetz sat down at the table with Mr. Neiss to look for positive, constructive ways to generate savings for the Town. They did an outstanding job. The Vice Mayor asked if the lease agreement would require anything that is not being done now. Mr. Neiss replied that it would not. Chief Beam added that the ambulance parked there now has 2 men who are firefighter trained.
Councilman Gene Orrico asked if there is an average cost for ambulance service. He recounted that a woman fell at Kiwanis and the ambulance service cost $890 to take her to the Emergency Room. Chief Beam explained that ambulance services are regulated in Arizona by the Department of Health Services. In Maricopa County, all ambulance services rates are exactly the same. We live in a society that has a lot of indigents and uninsured. Those with insurance pay for those without it.
Councilman Mike Farrar asked if Town Attorney Mike Wright had reviewed the proposed contracts. Mr. Neiss replied that he and Chief Beam sat down together and looked at similar municipal contracts, both providing their input and meeting in the middle. After the contracts were drafted, Mr. Wright and R/M's attorneys reviewed and approved them.
Mr. Farrar noted that the tenant named is American Medical Response (AMR). Chief Beam explained that AMR is the parent company that owns R/M. The Department of Health Services shows AMR on the Certificate of Necessity on the official record. It is AMR doing business as R/M Corp. Mr. Wright assured Mr. Farrar that the contracts are in the proper format and ready to be signed.
The Council unanimously approved the contracts.
https://vimeo.com/213357355
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #561, April 21, 2017
Gary Neiss reported that the Town met with Rural/Metro (R/M) Fire Chief Ted Beam, the R/M Fire Chief for the Central Arizona Region, and local R/M Chief John Kraetz to discuss ways the Town could offset the inflationary increase in the contract with R/M which would add approximately $35,000 in the coming fiscal year (FY), compounded thereafter. Two opportunities presented themselves to generate revenue to offset the annual increase.
The first allows revenue to be captured through a lease for the ambulance to be parked at the Carefree fire house. This model is used by Fountain Hills and generates $30,000 a year, with a 3% inflator for the lease.
The second involves R/M responses using Carefree's fire truck and fire fighters in the R/M service area outside of the Town of Carefree. If R/M responds to a call from a non subscriber to their service, they will bill for their response. Carefree has a Mutual Aid (MA) agreement with R/M, so our equipment and personnel are sometimes utilized in these calls. Carefree has no agreement in place to recapture these charges. This would codify an approach matching R/M's protocol for collection when responding to a MA request outside of Carefree, whereby non subscribers would be billed for responses using Carefree's resources. The billing process would correspond to R/M's respective schedule currently in place. This is anticipated to generate approximately $5,000 annually. Between the two contracts, the $35,000 annual inflator would be offset.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer found the concept extremely creative. Vice Mayor John Crane credited Mr. Neiss for the idea and for doing the research. Mayor Peterson said that Chiefs Beam and Kraetz sat down at the table with Mr. Neiss to look for positive, constructive ways to generate savings for the Town. They did an outstanding job. The Vice Mayor asked if the lease agreement would require anything that is not being done now. Mr. Neiss replied that it would not. Chief Beam added that the ambulance parked there now has 2 men who are firefighter trained.
Councilman Gene Orrico asked if there is an average cost for ambulance service. He recounted that a woman fell at Kiwanis and the ambulance service cost $890 to take her to the Emergency Room. Chief Beam explained that ambulance services are regulated in Arizona by the Department of Health Services. In Maricopa County, all ambulance services rates are exactly the same. We live in a society that has a lot of indigents and uninsured. Those with insurance pay for those without it.
Councilman Mike Farrar asked if Town Attorney Mike Wright had reviewed the proposed contracts. Mr. Neiss replied that he and Chief Beam sat down together and looked at similar municipal contracts, both providing their input and meeting in the middle. After the contracts were drafted, Mr. Wright and R/M's attorneys reviewed and approved them.
Mr. Farrar noted that the tenant named is American Medical Response (AMR). Chief Beam explained that AMR is the parent company that owns R/M. The Department of Health Services shows AMR on the Certificate of Necessity on the official record. It is AMR doing business as R/M Corp. Mr. Wright assured Mr. Farrar that the contracts are in the proper format and ready to be signed.
The Council unanimously approved the contracts.
https://vimeo.com/213357355
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.