Editor;
Some attention has been given to a recently floated proposal reducing the hourly availability of ambulance service to Moraga. Details remain sketchy but we believe the Moraga Orinda Fire District put its plan before the Moraga City Council earlier in the month, with MOFD proposing to cut back ambulance staffing for Moraga from 24 hour availability to ten hours. A meeting to further discuss the plan is scheduled for later this month but the question I am left with is why? What sounds like an enhanced service offering for Orinda sounds like increased vulnerability for Moraga. Are there compelling reasons for such a move and do you have any insight into this plan?
Elise Chan/Moraga
To start with, multiple cities have made the move to single role.
Look at Berkeley and San Ramon to start.
This allows for the firefighters to be available once the ambulance has arrived. The paramedics and EMTs are trained to the same level if they are to work in contra costa county.
What happens currently when an ambulance is transporting, at a hospital or even on a fire?
I want to know what it would cost to contract with AMR?
Have a 24 hour unit at a certain location.
When it is on a call then another unit moves up to cover.
I understand that the union will not allow AMR staff to stay at the fire house. How much would it cost to house the staff?
This would then save MOFD on salaries, benefits and most importantly on pensions. AMR offers a 401k with matching up
To 5%.
I would like to see a trial period . Either side could terminate this trial and revert back to the way it was.
Is this a case of a district trying to do more with less or is something else in play?
Is that even possible?