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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2020)
8A | SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS Western Lane from page 1A stone. The cuts he proposed daily basis, often many times more things than my mind tion, and function very well tinuing to fund the district as included having employees a day,” Danigelis said. “These will ever forget.” because of the quality of staff they have in the past.” But during the joint meet- make full payments on insur- patients just aren’t broken Holmes addressed a con- that we have. We couldn’t Schick stated that he is ing weeks later, WLAD em- ance deductibles and PERS femurs from the dunes that cern brought up by WLAD have done that without the confident WLAD and the ployees and medical partners payments. need morphine every 20 or board member Larry Farn- type of people that we have. union will be able to reach an spoke out against proposals, “We are absolutely aware 30 minutes. These are peo- sworth that scheduling was Not a chance. … We don’t agreement that can address suggesting it could create an of the tremendous impact ple that are in cardiopulmo- too dependent on overtime. have a district where if some- some of these issues. upheaval in the current sys- it will have on our employ- nary failure, are on multiple “Do you think for one sec- one passes away, we’re going “We have a great relation- tem. ees, and we didn’t come up drips. They need ventilator ond that work is dropped off to be left without a leader. ship with the union, that’s “With the cuts the chief is with those proposals lightly,” management because their at the door when we leave? There’s reasons we have ben- never been in doubt,” the proposing, you will not be Schick said. efits.” chief said. “But how do we able to retain the experience, However, some Still, there are ris- solve these problems? We “Currently, demand for our services is much, much high- compassion or dedicated budget committee er than what they were in the past. That’s a big driver of ing costs that make haven’t sat down and talk- employees you have now,” members suggested benefits difficult. ed in detail yet. We’re doing Holmes said. “You will be that more cuts were why we have declining revenue compared to expenses. We the easy stuff with negotia- left with high-turnover peo- needed, and there have the best crew ever, and we have for a very, very long INCREASING tions. We fully anticipate the ple who are just looking for were systemic issues time. It’s important to keep these people and keep them as COSTS union will come back with a few extra bucks because no with how things happy as we can within reason. ... We still need to strive to The state has sug- their own proposal, and we’ll one will be able to financially were structured, provide the best service that we can, for the high quality gested that it will compare it to the district’s afford this community. We’ve citing issues from be increasing the proposal, and see where the that our people demand.” always tried to work with overtime to benefits amount of payments compromises are.” — Mike Webb, Western Lane Ambulance Board Member agencies will have to our administrative staff — that balloon WLAD But the current negotia- both on and off negotiation compensation pack- make. tion is only for one year, and — including refraining from ages compared to other sim- airways are being controlled I can attest that it doesn’t,” “That’s a couple of years the conversation will not end writing numerous grievanc- ilar ambulance service en- by a machine.” she said. “I can attest that from now, so it wouldn’t be in when a final budget is signed es with contract matters. We tities. One of the members, These are not skills that we go home so physically this budget. And that’s the big in the coming weeks. still want what is best for this RJ Pilcher, spoke at the joint average paramedics possess, and mentally exhausted that debate, as far as the budget,” “It’s imperative we get a agency and have been willing meeting to give specific num- Danigelis stated. That train- we’re zombies for the next 24 Schick said. “If expenses are good plan for WLAD moving to cut back on whatever we bers to the entire board. ing not only costs money, hours, unable to fully engage going up 5 percent per year, forward,” said WLAD board have to, as long as it doesn’t “Personnel services are but it also makes employees our families or even tell them but our revenue is only going member John Murphey. He jeopardize care of a patient.” 58.69 percent of total expen- more employable and more what’s wrong.” up 3 percent a year, how long suggested they hold a strate- The discussion covered a ditures,” he said. “Paramed- likely to move to other higher Holmes stated that the can you do that?” gic planning committee no host of issues, ranging from ic top base rate is $84,140 a paying agencies. money paid in overtime does Webb pointed out that in later than July 10, and that the need for highly trained year, or 46.9 percent over the Miner argued that cutting not make up the life events 2012, the call volume was multiple voices are heard, staff in an isolated region, to 90th percentile of paramed- wages and benefits could lead that a perpetually on-call life 1,890. But last year, it was from SVFR and WLAD em- the emotional toll that EMS ics in the state of Oregon. to an underdeveloped work- takes away from employees, almost 4,000 “with the same ployees to City of Florence positions have on employees Paramedic supervisors’ top force, putting lives at risk. including holidays, birthdays tax revenue.” representatives, school dis- and family members. It was base rate is $96,761 a year, or “If you change the level “and watching children take “Currently, demand for tricts and local nonprofits. argued that while the num- 68.94 percent over the 90th of care based on decimating their first steps.” our services is much, much “After the strategic plan is bers may have shown high percentile of paramedics in these crews, you’re going to “Why don’t we just take higher than what they were done, we do that before we benefits for employees, they the state of Oregon. EMTs wind up in a situation where those days off? Because no in the past,” he said. “That’s start in the budget process ignored the worth of the em- top base rate is $61,516 a lives are in danger by not be- one wants to burden anoth- a big driver of why we have next year,” he said. “That way, ployees. year, or 37 percent over the ing able to get to the medical er employee with any more declining revenue compared it will be our budget driver.” “If you make decisions that 90th percentile of EMTs in care that they need in a time- time away from their fami- to expenses. We have the best When the plan is being decimate the crews, absolute- the state of Oregon.” ly fashion,” he said. lies,” she added. crew ever, and we have for a worked out, WLAD board ly the net result will be harm Pilcher stated that health Multiple public speakers Other benefits were also very, very long time. It’s im- member Cindy Russell stat- to the citizens of Florence insurance payments by the argued that the benefits and discussed, including a paid portant to keep these people ed that patient care should and Western Lane County,” district were beyond what pay not only ensure that gym membership. and keep them as happy as always be the driving factor. said Cory Miner with Lane most other agencies paid, as employees have skills to per- “The gym membership is we can within reason. Ev- “I feel that we’re looking EMS. “Make no mistake, well as vacation benefits ac- form their duties, but also to something we’ve had for 20 erybody has to be able to at numbers, and given the your husbands, wives, sons, crual and other benefits, such ensure that employees with years,” said Division Chief afford to live in this district, field I work in, we need to daughters, mothers, fathers, as gym memberships. those skills can afford to live Matt House, who serves but within our means. If we look at quality before we friends and neighbors will “It is always important in a region with traditionally with both WLAD and SVFR. can’t, we can’t survive. But we look at numbers,” she said. not be afforded the level of to treat all the employees high housing costs and gen- “That is to ensure that our still need to strive to provide “You can’t put a number on care they deserve.” of WLAD with dignity and eral cost of living expendi- employees are in good shape the best service that we can, life. You can’t put a number However, expected in- respect. Your true and only tures. and preventative care. If for the high quality that our on the care for a community. creases in PERS costs by the fiduciary responsibility is to While the district could somebody injured their back, people demand, and I think The community here expects state, along with the amount the ratepayers. I am not sure outsource to a private agency it’s a lot more expensive than our voters would more than and deserves to receive qual- of calls WLAD receives, has the rate payers would be will- to cut costs, they most likely preventative care with a gym support going out and con- ity care.” put the district in a difficult ing to approve of an optional would not be able to provide membership.” position. No board member levy if they knew how much the same level of care needed Another reason for high has discussed cutting ser- overmarket payroll and ben- in a unique region like that of wages is the length of em- vices that would put people efits are,” Pilcher said. the Siuslaw. ployment of current em- at risk, but employees sug- But Schick questioned “It would definitely be ployees, some of whom have gest making cuts to benefits whether or not the compari- cheaper, but you get what worked for decades in the would force well-trained staff son is apples to apples. you pay for with that mod- district. Help support your neighbors in to look elsewhere for em- “I can’t really refute those el,” Schick said. “I don’t think “The longevity of our em- need who have been unemployed ployment. WLAD could in- numbers, but I think Mr. there’s any serious thought of ployees is fantastic,” Schick crease its tax levies, but some Pilcher was looking at more bringing in a private ambu- said. “We have people that due to the Covid-19 shutdown. budget committee members statewide agencies — as well lance company here. I don’t have been here for a long argued that taxpayers would as private agencies — which think we’ll get the same level time, but they’re usually at Send your kind contribution to: not be comfortable footing typically pay a lot less,” he of service.” the higher end of salary and the bill for such benefits. said. But providing that level of benefits for us.” “We’re absolutely not look- Simply comparing sala- service takes a toll on em- Having a large pool of Christmas in June ing to cut services, but we ries WLAD to other agen- ployees that even the highest career employees can help P.O. Box 1041 want to be able to afford the cies omits the context, as the benefits would have difficulty in emergency situations, as services we have,” Schick told benefits and wages are high covering. WLAD board director Mike Florence, Oregon 97439 Siuslaw News in an interview for a host of reasons that are Webb pointed out. this week. “The board was unique to the Siuslaw region. EMOTIONAL TOLL “In 2015, we lost our lead very moved by all the com- For the past three months, office person, and our exec- Call Sam Spayd ments, and we’re thankful we NEEDED SKILLS Holmes has been on leave for utive director passed away,” had them. I think everybody The ambulance district’s issues relating to PTSD, de- he said. “Our office was in 541-991-6139 wants a financially stable dis- location and age of the popu- pression and anxiety. complete disarray, and yet trict — that’s our goal. Every- lation are integral parts of the “Whenever I mention I’m our office continued to func- body would agree on that. It’s wage equation. on leave from work for these just, how do you get to that “There is no other dis- things, not one person has point?” trict in the state that has the ever asked why. They haven’t amount or percentage of because there’s no need to,” BENEFITS critical care, training med- she said. The current discussion on ics that we have,” said Dr. Holmes described see- wages and benefits began Matthew Danigelis in public ing first-hand the deaths of on May 14 during a budget comments during the joint coworkers and community committee meeting, where meeting. “Because of that, members as she tried in vain WLAD hoped to pass the the overall increase in patient to save them. budget for 2020-21. The dis- visits and the high acuity of “I still cannot get the trict had planned to have our patients in general, we screams out of my head of the both labor negotiations and a have a much higher admis- countless family members as strategic plan worked out by sion and transfer rate than we tried desperately to save the budget meeting, but the most other hospitals due to their loved ones, only to hear COVID pandemic put a halt the — basically — elderly na- it again that we failed,” she to those early in the year. ture of our town.” said. “I’ve seen babies that WLAD is legally required Older patients get sick have taken their first breaths, to pass a budget by July, more, which in turn fills up and ones that will never which meant that Schick was PeaceHealth Peace Harbor breathe again. I have left tri- legally required to at least Medical Center. age to save one person to save make a proposal that in- “We’re transferring sick another while they screamed cluded possible budget cuts, patients, an hour plus, by at me to stop and save their though nothing was set in ground to RiverBend on a friend. My hands have done Get Results...List With Mike. Mike Blankenship Broker 541 991-7826 Moving Sale Sat. 6/6 Only 9am-4pm 4959 Sandrift Court Lots of good stuff! Some for free! Estate/Moving Sale Thurs-Sat 9am-4pm Greentrees Village West Space #661 Tools, furniture & household goods. Sutton Lake Rd #127 – Nice .30 acre lot near Sutton Lake in a great neighborhood. This wonderful North Lakes area lot is waiting to be developed and built on. $57,500. #3049- 19202450 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200