I'm biased. I have been an EMT here for four-plus years and a paramedic for three, so obviously I'm in favor of continuing to properly fund our ambulance district. For other good reasons, please visit the SAFER Web site at blainecountysafer.com.
I've been in Blaine County since 1984: ranch hand, river guide, Louie's, recruiting, Backwoods, and computer consulting (my current second job), but I've never had a job that comes even close to being a paramedic. To serve this valley I love and help improve peoples' worst days gives me great pride and satisfaction.
Part of my pride is fiscal. We do everything possible to conserve money. We are our own mechanics, IT department, cleaning and maintenance crews. But we can't bolt together a new cardiac monitor, we can't build ambulances and we can't always train each other.
As a paramedic I have visited other ambulance systems, and I say with pride that not only is our service tops for a community our size, but the skill, caring and commitment of our responders rivals any city's. With our current system, I'd rather get sick or hurt here than anywhere in the world!
Please support the men and women wearing their pagers 24/7 by providing them with the funding for equipment, apparatus and training so they can give the best care anywhere to the Wood River Valley. I understand how hard it is to make ends meet (I have a second job, too) and I understand what's being asked. If there were another way to do it we would, but there's not.
For the record, I'm full time with Wood River Fire & Rescue, writing this letter off duty. These opinions are mine alone.
Whether voting today (absentee) or on May 27, please vote yes on Proposition 1.
Bass Sears
Hailey
