Calls impacting ambulance district budget

WALLACE — During a recent Shoshone County Ambulance Service District meeting with the Shoshone County Board of County Commissioners, the joke was made that the district services have gotten “better with age” as the group has navigated its first three years.

“The bottom line is, I think you’re providing more services to the county now than you were a year ago, probably a year before that," said Commissioner Dave Dose during an ambulance district meeting Thursday.

“We’re still growing teeth,” SCASD board chairman Bruce Van Broeke said.

The only downside for the ambulance district has been the impact of the higher rate of pay paramedics receive on the ambulance district budget. 

Van Broeke proposed that the district adjust the labor contracts from an hourly rate to a salary rate for paramedics so the county budget projections will be less surprising during high-service periods and the ambulance district can stay on budget.

Deputy Clerk Timmie Hunter said the budget for the year is $1.7 million, with the new budget period beginning in October. 

As of March, the ambulance district has used 26% of that budget.

The goal is to make adjustments now to set the ambulance district up as a sustainable entity and retain EMTs and paramedics.

“We didn't have any paramedics when we put the budget together. With all of the extra overtime and the paramedic pay that we didn’t figure on, we’re a smidgeon over on the budget and that’s why we want to nip it in the bud now to make sure we don’t go over by the end of the year,” Van Broeke said in a phone interview.

Four paramedics and Dietrich have paramedic licenses with an additional four students training to become paramedics for the county. 

Miller said the growing paramedic expertise has brought the Silver Valley emergency care more in line with its neighbors like Coeur d’Alene. 

Van Broeke said the ambulance crews are “working their butts off” to provide service to the county.

“Thank 'em when you see 'em,” Van Broeke said.

*This article has been changed to reflect the correct title for Commissioner Dave Dose.