Ambulance service in Boardman merits study

Ambulance service in Boardman merits study
EDITOR:
It appears at least one Boardman Township trustee has asked Fire Chief James Dorman to determine the feasibility of the fire department running a township ambulance. The chief conducted a study of sorts and concluded it would not be feasible. I am not sure the trustees have been adequately educated or informed on this subject.
In his study, Chief Dorman visited five fire departments around Ohio and applied their information and statistics to what he knows of Boardman's numbers, and surmised Boardman Township could not make money by operating an ambulance. Does this mean it would not be at all feasible? Could the fire department provide a higher level of emergency medical care for the community? Is this something the community may want if it were feasible?
Trustees are elected by the people to act in their best interest. Department heads chosen by the trustees should be expected to provide complete and accurate information. The chief accepted my invitation to be a part of a committee of Boardman firefighters, which is studying the possibility of the fire department providing a higher level of emergency medical care. At this time our committee is gathering and reviewing information which, when we have had adequate time to properly research, we intend to present to the board of trustees. We will advise the board of all available options, the benefits of each, as well as any associated costs.
While our committee still has much work to do, we are keenly aware of the following: 1) citizens of Boardman Township deserve a fire department comprised of professionals providing the best possible fire protection, rescue services and emergency medical care; and 2) there is no doubt the community would be best served by firefighters functioning at the EMT-Paramedic level, rather than as "first responders" as we currently operate (which is the lowest level of emergency medical care recognized in the state). It is worth noting that firefighters can provide paramedic-level care without necessarily providing the transport to the hospital.
Ultimately, it will be up to the citizens of Boardman Township to determine the services they desire and pass their wishes on to their elected representatives. Then it will be up to the board of trustees to decide whether they will, in fact, act in the people's best interest and provide the services their constituents deserve.
JIM HOOVER, president
Boardman Professional Firefighters, Local 1176, IAFF
Boardman
Quit picking on the pope
EDITOR:
We now have a new pope and for you folks to blame him for the troubles of the past, as you did in last Saturday's editorial, is disingenuous.
Why do you think it's taken so long for him to appoint a new bishop to our area and others? He's like the Marines: looking for a few good men.
All we can do about the past is learn from it. The old order is past. We don't want sick men in leadership positions. The results will speak for themselves.
THOMAS P. GILMARTIN Sr.
Villa Maria, Pa.
Say 'thanks' to a veteran
EDITOR:
Veterans Day is without a doubt the most significant day of the year. If it were not for our veterans, we might not have the freedom that we have today.
We all need to realize that freedom is not a right or guarantee. It is a privilege that has been given to us by our veterans.
So if you are enjoying your freedom, make sure to thank a veteran and to always show respect to the men and women of our armed forces.
They are the reason you have your freedom today and why you will have your freedom in the future.
PHIL PANNO
Boardman