Wash. county to cut EMS, increase fire response

COLUMBIA, Wash. — American Medical Response plans to cut back its services and involve more fire units in Clark County, Wash., as part of an agreement with local commissioners.

AMR says it will save $250,000 by being given two more minutes to arrive at emergencies if firefighters arrive on the scene first, according to the Columbian.

Vancouver, Wash., is the only city in Emergency Medical District 2 holding out on the deal.

"I feel like, wait a second, they're going to save $250,000 but they can't supply the service we're contracting with them to do?" Vancouver Councilor Jeanne Harris asked.

Vancouver Fire Chief Joe Molina said that AMR's contract expires in 2014, and the time extension will keep the private company from bailing before the fire department is ready to take over the town's EMS services.

"If we don't help them, they'll leave," Chief Molina said. "We need time to redesign."