185.2013 Amendment To WGF EMS Squad Pay Rates RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO EMERGENCY
PROTECTION SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF
QUEENSBURY AND WEST GLENS FALLS EMERGENCY SQUAD, INC.
REGARDING CERTAIN ISSUES INCLUDING INCREASE OF
AGENCY PAY RATES AND STAFFING
RESOLUTION NO.: 185,2013
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.John Strough
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Tim Brewer
WHEREAS, in accordance with Town Law §184, the Queensbury Town Board (Town) may
contract with ambulance services certified or registered in accordance with Public Health Law Article
30 for general emergency ambulance service within the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town has encountered increased emergency calls, particularly from senior
housing, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that there is a need for increased staff coverage
and pay to provide greater coverage for the safety of Town residents, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that increased pay is necessary to retain and
maintain qualified paid staff, and
WHEREAS, the Town has entered into an Agreement for emergency protection services with
the West Glens Falls Emergency Squad,Inc., (Squad)for 2012 through 2014, and
WHEREAS, the Town and Squad have negotiated and agreed upon terms to amend such
Agreement concerning the following issues so that the Town can provide better coverage to Town
residents:
I. Increase pay rates for all Town of Queensbury Emergency/Rescue Squads from
$13.25 to $14.50 hourly for staffers with Basic Life Support (BLS) training; and
$16.50 to $17.50 hourly for staffers with Advanced Life Support(ALS)training;
2. The Squad will receive additional funding for paid staffing to add one (1)
ALS/1BLS crew to its staffing and agrees to position that crew in the North
Queensbury Rescue Squad, Inc.'s building from Memorial Day through Labor Day
each year, such crew then to be positioned as needed for the rest of each year (all
paid staffing moneys will be removed from future agreements with North
Queensbury Rescue Squad, Inc.);
3. Paid staffing will be 12 hours a day/7 days a week, with exact hours to be
determined by the Squad;
4. The Squad will remind its paid staff and volunteers that all patients must be billed
and the Town will not tolerate EMS Staff and/or patients making statements
regarding ignorance of such bills. Patients unable to pay due to limited income
may contact the billing company for a hardship application; and
WHEREAS, since such expenses for the increase in pay rates and/or additional staffing are not
presently included in the Squad's 2012-2014 Agreement with the Town, the Town Board duly held a
public hearing on Monday, April 15th, 2013 concerning such additional services and expenses and
coinciding amendment to the Squad's Agreement, and heard all interested persons, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that such additional services will benefit Town
residents and visitors to the Squad's service areas and therefore it is necessary and in the public interest
to act on such proposal to improve the provision of emergency services to the Town,
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves of the Amendment to the
Agreement between the Town of Queensbury and the West Glens Falls Emergency Squad, Inc.,
regarding the increase in pay rates and additional staffing to the Town referred to in the preambles of
this Agreement, without actually replacing the entire Primary Agreement,which will result in additional
Town funding to the Squad of$126,366 for 2013 and $199,670 for 2014 so Town funding to the
Squad will therefore be $311,366 for 2013 and $384,670 for 2014 and authorizes and directs the
Town Supervisor to sign such Agreement substantially in the form presented at this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town
Budget Officer to transfer funds, amend the Town Budget and take all actions necessary to provide for
payment relating to such Agreement, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor and/or
Budget Officer to take any action necessary to effectuate all terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 15th day of April, 2013 by the following vote:
AYES : Mr. Montesi,Mr. Metivier,Mr. Clements,Mr. Strough,Mr. Brewer
NOES : None
ABSENT: None