By Ron Fonger
Flint Journal

GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. — A strange thing happened to a plan for sending county paramedics instead of Flint firefighters to medical emergencies in the city starting Jan. 1.

The plan died on the vine after initially being approved by the county Board of Commissioners as members increasingly worried that the expansion could bankrupt the county's paramedic program.

The union representing Flint firefighters also lobbied against the plan that would have taken about $800,000 in paramedic millage money from the city and used it instead on county paramedics, who are also certified police officers.

"(County Controller) George Martini told us it would break the bank," said Archie Bailey, chairman of the county commission.

Sheriff Robert Pickell had said he could have covered emergency runs inside Flint by using the $800,000 to hire 11 paramedic deputies, purchase additional equipment and "make this thing work."

The sheriff said he would not comment on the commissioners' final decision.

Pickell has said his paramedics increasingly have been sent into Flint because his units can often reach emergencies faster than city crews. County officials also have periodically questioned the city's accounting of how its share of the millage money has been spent.

But Ray Barton, president of Flint Firefighters Local 352, said that not only has the city's lone paramedic squad been active, but firefighters trained as medical first responders also regularly are called for help in cases of shootings, stabbings and other life-threatening problems.

In 2006, voters countywide renewed the 0.4847-mill property tax for an additional 10 years. The tax generated about $4.5 million in 2006.

Commissioner Ted Henry, D-Clayton Twp., who opposed the expansion plan from the start, said the takeover looked like a potential financial disaster.

"My concern is the millage (reserves) were going to evaporate to nothing," Henry said.

Commissioner Jamie Curtis, D-Burton, who initially supported the move, said the idea can still be revisited in the future.

"I would like to see us do it, but I don't think it's a wise move to go forward now with something you ultimately can't afford," Curtis said.

Paramedics and medical first responders don't transport patients to the hospital, but treat patients in the most serious trouble at the scene of an emergency and on the way to the emergency room.

Only recently, commissioners agreed to revamp the way private transport ambulances operate in the county, voting to contract with one or two companies for service rather than allowing any licensed operators to set up bases here.

Who comes when there's trouble?

In the city of Flint, a private transport ambulance and Flint Fire Department paramedics or medical first responders are dispatched to medical emergencies. In other parts of Genesee County, the closest private transport ambulance and the county sheriffs paramedics are dispatched.

In May, the county Board of Commissioners tentatively approved plans to take over calls for medical help in Flint as well, but that plan never got a final OK.

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