02/08/2000 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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5 4 Finance CommitteefFebruary 2000 Paramedics are required 44 hours annually for State Certification and he has to pay there overtime or he can send them on duty. However,if he sends thern on duty and there are already two people on vacation,he has to back-hire and he ispaying overtime either way. Mr. Sheehan questioned if he cangive test comp time. Chief Baker stated that he is not allowed to give then comp time. Chief Baker stated that ISO wants the Firefighters to get 24 hours of fire fighting training a year. He stated that he also has a contractual agreement that firefighters get 10 hours a year of guaranteed outside training a year. Training also includes public education and staff rneetings once a month. A fflbulayice �ipt Chief Baker stated that he made a list of what Mashpee charges versus what ether communities charge for ambulance services. He also mated the Medicare reimbursable which states that they will pay this maximum amount or 0%. He rioted that he based all the mileage on 15 miles. Chief ulcer reviewed the fees charg d by 11 ashpee,Falmouth,Cotuit,and Sandwich. Chief Baker stated that they can bring their rates up. He has noted this to the Selectmen. Chief Baker noted that with the ambulance receipts,they purchase a new ambulanpe every five gears. Tong with that,they use the receipts for EMS training and parts. He noted that anything directly related to EMS is coming out of the ambulance receipts account. The nce Committee and Chief Baker discussed the feasibility of raising the ambulance rates. Discussion was held regarding a 12%increase in the fees. Mr.Morgan noted that raising the fees 12%would: Make Mshpee more competitive with the surrounding immunities. Afford l iashpee a little bit more of a buffer for those that are not able to pay up front. Mr. Sheehan commented that he has experience in this field and the rates that the Chief is charging for ambulance fees is very reasonable and on the low side. The Chief also rioted that the quality of the people and equipment is very good. There was discussion held concerning the use of a taxi service to be used by people in a non, emergency situation who use=ambulance because they do not have the money to pay for a taxi. 1111x .Goulart asked Chief Baker the could give them a summary sheet on the ambulance receipts. Chief Baker stated that he could give her a summary of the following: What they bring in for ambulance receipts. What they collect and what they don't collect. Of the uncollectible money,ghat is mandated as uncolletale.