Del Norte Ambulance (DNAMB) has served the Community for almost 40 years. To date, there’ve been no serious or credible major incidents besmirching DNAMB.
Despite this stellar record, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to issue seeking a Request for Proposl (RFP) for an alternative for 9-1-1 service.
The process has begun through the North Coast Emergency Medical Service (EMS). Four consulting proposals vied for the consulting contact. The Committee selected End Point EMS to oversee the process of expanding funding for what appears to be an unnecessary expense. The North Coast EMS Committee is now in process in procuring the necessary funds for End Point Consulting. The total cost to conduct this possible transition is estimated to run a minimum of $97,000 plus (for End Point) to $150,000 or more in other costs. The funding comes from the Dept of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Emergency Fund. Neither the Board nor DHHS has explained the justification of using emergency funds.
“Not so quickly,” muses DNAMB principal Ron Sandler.
Sandler states 1st District Supervisor Darrin Short holds a position on the governing board of the North Coast EMS Joint Powers Authority, as the representative from the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors. In a letter to CEO Neal Lopez, County Administrative Officer, Sandler states, “…Darrin Short, as a member of the Board, with no public complaints began a process whereby the Joint Powers Authority is now considering our replacement, even though no public complaints were received.” Sandler continued, “Supervisor Short expressed his opinion that the Board should ask fire department leadership about their perception of the quality of Del Norte Ambulance’s services. This I believe is a conflict of interest as Supervisor Short works for Crescent Fire and Rescue and holds a position on the governing board of North Coast Emergency Medical Services Joint Powers Authority. Supervisor Short initiated this complaint as a Member of the (Del Norte) Board of Supervisors, asserting that, as a Battalion Chief he has germane information that was not provided to the Board. Supervisor Short will then sit in review, pretending to be objective.”
Sandler has requested a formal censure by the Board of Supervisors against Short. Sandler further requested that Supervisor Short recuse himself from any proceedings due to this conflict of interest.
A four question Triplicate-generated email to Supervisor Short on 12/2 has yet to be responded to by date of publishing.
Sandler requested official acknowledgment within 15 days from receipt of the DNAMB letter.