Medic One unions must live by plan approved by voters

THE BELLINGHAM HERALD EDITORIAL BOARD - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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When voters approve a program along with new taxes, it's incumbent upon government to fulfill the desire of the voters and spend the taxes as planned.

Given that, we urge those working on the future of the Whatcom Medic One system to put aside their differences and come together with a plan that delivers what voters expect.

In 2005, Whatcom County voters agreed to tax themselves, raising the sales tax by one-tenth of one percent in order to keep alive a countywide emergency medical services system that has been in place in this community for more than 30 years. The tax, 10 cents for every $100 in purchases, will bring about $11.8 million for the system from 2007 through 2012. The proposal passed with a 67 percent "yes" vote.

As part of that plan, the system is scheduled to add another ambulance unit in 2010, which is supposed to be based out of the Ferndale-area's Fire District No. 7. The system currently has four units, two based in Bellingham and two in the county, that are staffed with Bellingham Fire Department paramedics.

Now, a dispute between locals in the firefighter's union puts that plan for the new ambulance into jeopardy.

The 2005 plan called for the fifth ambulance to be manned by firefighters from Fire District No. 7. Six firefighters from that district are now in Seattle getting paramedic training at Harborview Medical Center, preparation for manning the new unit when it comes online. On Tuesday, Whatcom County officials must vote whether to spend $330,000 on that training.

But the firefighters' union, the International Association of Fire Fighters, has told District No. 7 firefighters, members of Local 3855, that they have 15 days to cease taking the training.

Bellingham's firefighters, members of Local 106, say that they are now, and have always been, the paramedics for the entire county. They contend that work cannot be taken away from them. In a letter to Local 3855's District No. 7 firefighters, the International Association says that district employees must "respect this established work relationship, and shall immediately discontinue all actions that infringe upon Local 106's work jurisdiction now, or in the future."

The letter says paramedic work in Whatcom County is reserved for members of Bellingham's Local 106.

As of this writing, District No. 7 firefighters were still considering how to respond, including talk of potentially leaving the union. But we back District No. 7 in this dispute, if only because their actions reflect the desires of voters.

We don't want to see any action take place that undermines public safety. Nor should anything betray promises made to the taxpaying public.

Unfortunately the Bellingham firefighters and their union are undercutting an already-made public decision.

Whether or not they want things to change is not the issue. The public already voted to support a having a fifth ambulance stationed in, and staffed by, District No. 7 staff, and to pay the taxes to make that happen. The union should not have the right or ability to undermine the will of the citizens of this county.

We greatly respect the work of the current Bellingham paramedics. They are true professionals who work tirelessly for the health and safety of the citizens they treat. Medic One began in 1974, and Bellingham Fire Department staff have ably manned the system since.

But their opinion on this issue is simply wrong. Citizens of Whatcom County approved funding for a countywide system, including giving Fire District No. 7 some of the work, by a wide margin.

No matter the union issues involved. The citizen's desires must take precedence.

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POSTED: Saturday, Oct. 04, 2008

Medic One unions must live by plan approved by voters

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