Ambulance pact good for city of Yuma

What could have been a very contentious ambulance situation in Yuma will apparently be harmonious instead.

It was announced last week that the Yuma Fire Department and Rural/Metro had reached agreement on how to mutually provide ambulance service in the city beginning today.

Previously, Rural/Metro had been the only ambulance service provider in the city.
The agreement is the result of a decision by the Arizona Department of Health Services to let YFD also provide ambulance transportation in the city, a decision strongly opposed by Rural/Metro.

The two have now come together to coordinate ambulance calls and define responsibilities. YFD ambulances will respond to critical emergency calls, with back up from Rural/Metro when needed. Rural/Metro will handle less critical calls in the city as well as non-emergency transportation of patients. Rural/Metro will also continue to provide ambulance service outside the city, as it has in the past.

In addition, a Rural/Metro ambulance dispatcher will be included in YFD dispatch center to coordinate ambulance calls.

The agreement will ensure Yumans will continue to receive prompt and efficient ambulance services. Another goal is to allow Rural/Metro to avoid forced layoffs.

What could have been a difficult situation has instead turned into an opportunity for the two agencies to form a partnership that could result in even better ambulance service in Yuma.

The Yuma Fire Department and Rural/Metro deserve congratulations for their efforts to work together.