The Prosser Blog

leswa7ham

Excuse the language but it fits the situation. With in the last 30 minutes a call was made to 911 stating that a 9 year old girl was in siezure and asking for medical assistance. NO PROSSER AMBULANCES WERE AVAILABLE!! Neartest: Benton City District 2. The Prosser Fire District was summoned for EMS assist and 303,304 and Rescue 371 respnded from station 310 well before the arrival of the medics and ambulance. The girl is located 1/2 mile north of Station 320. No personnel responded to or from 320.
So we are back to the old situation of 15 minute responses to life threatening emergencies even though we pay through the nose to our "local" hospital ambulance service - ambulances which always seem to be somewhere else in any emergency. At this rate we would be better served by Sunnyside fire who has trained medics and an ambulance - which is available.
Hopefully you will never have a heart attack and need "immediate" assistance. You will not get it here.

Norman · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:16 pm Post subject: lack of response

Les - this lack of response is truly unfortunate...and expected. I believe things are getting a little better at the hospital since the management change, but the cutbacks in medicare reimbursement are making life difficult for EMS everywhere. It is also unfortunate that the situation at the fire department has not improved. Top qualified volunteers are still leaving the department because of issues with management.

Earlier this year the city sent out a questionaire to the citizens wanting feedback on numerous city services, departments, etc. But not one question regarding fire protection. Apparently the city council doesn't want to address the problems with the fire department either. I noticed in your post that 301 didn't respond. Oh well, hire enough high paid captains and you can just stay home all day.

Several years ago when Doug "hasno" Merit and his worshippers forced out the assistant chief and over half the volunteers, two or three members of the public attended the meetings at the fire department. But try and mess with the schedule of Ben-Franklin Transit and over 30 people crowd into the city hall council chambers demanding something be done! It would appear some people's priorities are a little skewed. Until there is significant change in the members of the city council and fire department, you can expect more of the same.

leswa7ham · Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject: Chief 301

It is possible that 301 did respond but if he did he took a different route than all other units who traveled north on RothRock past station 320. I did hear 304 clear all fire units from the scene after the girl was transported and he did report all units back in service at station 310.