How many years have you lived here Sal, I was a member of the old Rotterdam District 2 Ambulance Corp for 6 years just b4 they went to a paid corp and I don't remember seeing you there.

It's probably b/c he is a regular democrat operative from Fish Face Gardner's camp and wouldn't do anything unless there is some patronage involved from the party.

Cause he wasn't there. When was he released? How dare you attack people that volunteer for EMS duty?  And then give us this BS about helping seniors. His only interest is in ripping off the oppressed County taxpayers, maintaining the horrible status quo and protecting his buddies in County lob jobs.

Quoted from 78

I was of the understanding that REMS is a paid service, no longer a volunteer organization.  

You are correct Brad, it is no longer volunteer. And at this point in time, and until someone proves differently, I think this service should be privatized.

well you against them no matter what since you dont care about the people THIS IS OUR ambulance service over here OUR HOMETOWN PRIDE so GET OUT JOHHNY BOY MERTZE YOU ARE AM OUTSIDER and you are trying to tip the applecart when you dont know nothing about any of it

Wow, tell us how you really feel. I guess Mertz never stood much of a chance with the hardcore " I have more rights than you to speak because I was born here" types. Some people think you can't talk about education because you don't have school age kids, some folks think you can't discuss foreign affairs because you weren't a combat veteran (except Clinton or Obama, they are fine to do it.) That happened right here on this forum. And now some people think you can't even discuss the ambulance service, let alone talk about funding it, unless you were "born here."

Oh boy oh boy.

I'm say give Mohawk a chance. And I'm not an outsider, so does my opinion count? IMHO

Quoted from 191

just PAY up already  and SHUT UP and stop with the holding the people hostage! What about the seniors! If Stevie shuts it down after all the years then the people will die on the streets what is wrong with you repubs always wanting to hurt the poeople and the little kids over here?

You are a typical politician Sal.......where are your signs???? You talk about safety/kids/seniors, you forgot about the pets......what
about the pets????

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Mohawk Ambulance Offers to Bail Out Rotterdam EMS
In 2008, Mohawk Answered 337 Calls in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, New York (January 26, 2009) – Mohawk Ambulance Services (MAS) is proposing a solution to permanently fix Rotterdam's Ambulance needs at no cost to Rotterdam taxpayers. Mohawk officials said that this plan ensures that Rotterdam taxpayers are not burdened with additional taxes. Rotterdam EMS (REMS) has requested $14,000 per month payment from the Town until the creation of a permanent special taxing district to support the Ambulance service. Under MAS' plan, neither taxpayer funded measures would be required.

Under the proposal Rotterdam EMS has presented to the Town, the $14,000 per month would be paid to REMS until a special tax district can be set-up. The special taxing district would create a new direct assessment on property in the Town. Mohawk, whose main office is located in Schenectady, said that they are prepared to service the Town at no cost to taxpayers or the Town.

"Mohawk Ambulance Service has provided high quality, cost effective service to the communities and healthcare facilities throughout the Capital Region since 1978," said James McPartlon III, Vice President of Mohawk Ambulance.  "We want the Town of Rotterdam to know that we are here to provide fulltime service at no cost to taxpayers. In fact, in 2008 we answered 337 mutual aid calls in Rotterdam, a very significant number of calls."

MAS announced that they are prepared to offer the following: a bailout loan to REMS consisting of 3 months operating expenses (wages, vehicle upkeep, fuel, etc.). During this three-month period REMS agrees to deposit all receipts into an escrow account, which will be held by the Town.  Mohawk and the Town will negotiate the terms of an agreement whereby Mohawk will provide exclusive ambulance service to the Town beginning at the end of this three-month period.  MAS will purchase, at fair market value, all assets owned by REMS including vehicles and equipment; MAS will either purchase or lease real property located on Princetown Road currently used by REMS.  MAS will hire all REMS EMT's subject to the company's employment criteria.  If Mohawk's plan is accepted there will be no new tax district created and no additional cost to the taxpayer.  

"It is critical for Rotterdam to have reliable and professional EMS. Mohawk has a fleet of 30 ambulances and a staff of 200 Certified New York State EMTs," added McPartlon.  "We are the only Ambulance provider for the cities of Albany and Schenectady, and the towns of Glenville and Brunswick, village of Scotia and Niskayuna Fire District #2, as well as communities in Rensselaer and Saratoga counties."

MAS is the largest privately owned Ambulance provider in Upstate New York, and is the only Capital Region ambulance with GPS tracking in every vehicle, which greatly enhances their computer-aided dispatch system and reduces response time.  Mohawk Ambulance is a certified training center, offering provider level CPR classes, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS), as well as first aid training.

It may be unpopular, but I strongly support this bailout plan. It puts a building back on the tax rolls (rems offices) - gives payment to the rems squad for operating expense, provides jobs (considerably higher than what they're getting now) and the town saves another tax district - and recovers monies for the ambulances, etc.

Sounds like a win-win proposition to me.

Sounds like someone on the Town Board has been working closely with MA$!!

Oh, I thought he already resigned?

interesting,,,,,very, very interesting........

Interesting proposal.  Very interesting.  I'm still hesitant to give up the local service, but on the surface, this looks like Mohawk is going to essentially retain local service, including the EMT's.  The issue in my mind ATM, is dispatching and response times.  Mohawk can vary between excellent, and "how can you not find I-87."  Even so, this is definitely worth exploring as a viable possibility.

Why would any town create a tax base for an ambulance service that can be handled by an already established private entity? Mohawk should handle all of Rotterdam's emergency calls. They pretty much do now anyway since Rotterdam is running on only one ambulance now. IMHO