To ensure it can continue to provide Advanced Life Support medical care to the communities they serve, Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service is seeking an increase in its special assessment rate.
SMCAS has been providing 24/7 emergency response in Southwest Michigan since 1976. They serve residents within the Cities of Buchanan and Niles, as well as Buchanan, Niles, Howard, Bertrand, Milton, and Pokagon Townships.
“Providing fast and experienced emergency care to the communities we serve is a job we take very seriously,” said Brian Scribner, executive director of SMCAS. “An increase in our local assessment will ensure we can continue providing the high-level of service we are known for and our community counts on.”
Currently, each parcel within the agency’s service area pays $20 per year to have Advanced Life Support level service on call 24/7. This rate has not increased in more than 25 years, however operational costs and call volume have continued to climb without additional funding. Michigan, as well as the whole nation, is facing a critical shortage of paramedics and EMTs, which causes significant challenges as far as recruitment and retention of essential team members.
SMCAS is seeking an increased special assessment rate to ensure it can continue providing the high-level of skilled pre-hospital care residents depend on. The additional funding would be used to recruit and retain new and existing staff, pay staff an industry standard for their work, and better cover operational costs.
“It’s no secret that costs are rising all around us and that includes for the emergency services we depend on,” said Dr. Jonathan Beyer, medical director of the Berrien County Medical Control Authority. “Increasing the special assessment SMCAS receives is long overdue and will be critical in helping them pay competitive wages to attract and retain hardworking EMS staff to serve our communities.”
Under this request, the rate would gradually increase over the next five years. The rate would increase from $20 to $30 in the first year and increase $5 per year after that until capping at $50 per year. That amounts to just over $4 per month per household or parcel.
The requested assessment increase will help SMCAS avoid reducing EMS services, lengthening response times, and limiting critical emergency care; something other communities across Michigan are experiencing.
For more information, visit www.smcas.org.
