Ambulance fees

Residents requiring emergency medical/ambulance service on or after July 1 will be subject to a new fee schedule from North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD) following unanimous board approval at the district’s June 26 board meeting.

“The adjustment amounts to an increase of about 20 percent,” Stephen Abbott said. “The fees have not changed since 2005.” Abbott explained that in the past, the average cost of a transport has been around $1,000; under the new schedule, the average is expected to be $1,170.

Board member Dick Olson asked Abbott if the increase would allow the district to “break even” on transport costs.

“We’d have to adjust an additional 20 to 25 percent on top of this to break even,” Abbott said. Olson acknowledged that he felt the cost increase was necessary.

“We don’t have the money to do this as a public service,” Olson said. “This increase doesn’t even cover the cost; we are still losing money.”

When the board moved on to review the $14 million preliminary budget for fiscal year 2007/2008, it was noted that it will include $50,000 for a facility study. The study, Chief Bill Metcalf said, “Is necessary in order to develop a long-range plan.” Metcalf said not only would each fire station within the district would be looked at insofar as age, condition, equipment and appropriate space but an assessment would be made of the community as a whole as to where fire stations should be located.

“We need to know if our stations are in the right place geographically,” Metcalf said. “I feel the study is important in the event that we need to go to the public and ask for funds for facilities. It will be more credible.”

Olson commented that since developers are working with the Fallbrook Community Planning Group on a variety of projects within the district, he felt financial responsibility should be placed on them for added fire station facilities.

“Developers should be involved and pony up funds for stations based on the housing projects they are putting in,” Olson said. “I know Chief Metcalf is working on this; two projects come to mind – Pala Mesa and Warner Ranch – which are in the works now.”

During the course of the meeting, Chief Metcalf also commended the efforts relating to the fighting of the fires along Highway 76, the work of the Fallbrook FireSafe Council and volunteers and leadership of the Community Emergency Response Team.

“I think we have some outstanding programs here,” Metcalf said. “We are proud of what we’re doing. These groups are making a difference in this community.”