M-TEMS, Milford Try to Repair Relationship
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Scott Sigerfoos, M-TEMS director of operations, said he wanted to address confusion over a letter M-TEMS sent to Milford in June. The letter contained a figure of $73,307 for 2013, a dramatic increase over the $18,000 subsidy Milford has been paying since 2006.
The council decried the amount as “extortion” in July, and Sigerfoos said residents have reacted as well, questioning ambulance staff stationed in Milford.
Sigerfoos took issue with claims of blackmail and extortion, saying the figure given in the letter was an ideal amount they would like to see Milford move toward.
“The letter never stated a full increase had to happen immediately,” Sigerfoos told the council. “We’re working as hard as we can to be a diligent partner. We’re not coming to you asking for some absurd amount of money (and) we hope you don’t misconstrue our motives.”
“As a nonprofit, having a lot of money is not one of our goals,” he also said. “We’re already running as lean as possible.”
He said it was financially irresponsible to ask the same subsidy Milford started paying six years ago, also noting that collections from runs in town bring in only $158,000 a year – resulting in a $342,000 deficit.
M-TEMS has decreased staff raises and cut a few positions to save money, Sigerfoos said.
“Right now, finally, we’re stable. We’re not doing wonderfully, but we’re also not bleeding to death,” he remarked.
“Verbally we’ve agreed that as long as we’re able, we’ll keep an ambulance here.”
He said M-TEMS remains committed to Milford.
“We want to do all we can to help you, that’s why we’re still in Milford 24 hours a day despite having a contract for only eight hours a day,” Sigerfoos said. “A lot of our guys live and work here, too.”
Council members thanked the representatives for attending and said they have begun moving toward the $73,000 ideal subsidy, with an extra $20,000 budgeted for 2013.
“We think we can scrape up $2,000 more,” Councilman Bob Cockburn added.
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Scott Sigerfoos, M-TEMS director of operations, said he wanted to address confusion over a letter M-TEMS sent to Milford in June. The letter contained a figure of $73,307 for 2013, a dramatic increase over the $18,000 subsidy Milford has been paying since 2006.
The council decried the amount as “extortion” in July, and Sigerfoos said residents have reacted as well, questioning ambulance staff stationed in Milford.
Sigerfoos took issue with claims of blackmail and extortion, saying the figure given in the letter was an ideal amount they would like to see Milford move toward.
“The letter never stated a full increase had to happen immediately,” Sigerfoos told the council. “We’re working as hard as we can to be a diligent partner. We’re not coming to you asking for some absurd amount of money (and) we hope you don’t misconstrue our motives.”
“As a nonprofit, having a lot of money is not one of our goals,” he also said. “We’re already running as lean as possible.”
He said it was financially irresponsible to ask the same subsidy Milford started paying six years ago, also noting that collections from runs in town bring in only $158,000 a year – resulting in a $342,000 deficit.
M-TEMS has decreased staff raises and cut a few positions to save money, Sigerfoos said.
“Right now, finally, we’re stable. We’re not doing wonderfully, but we’re also not bleeding to death,” he remarked.
“Verbally we’ve agreed that as long as we’re able, we’ll keep an ambulance here.”
He said M-TEMS remains committed to Milford.
“We want to do all we can to help you, that’s why we’re still in Milford 24 hours a day despite having a contract for only eight hours a day,” Sigerfoos said. “A lot of our guys live and work here, too.”
Council members thanked the representatives for attending and said they have begun moving toward the $73,000 ideal subsidy, with an extra $20,000 budgeted for 2013.
“We think we can scrape up $2,000 more,” Councilman Bob Cockburn added.
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