By the title of this letter, you might think I was against EMS — not true. They are fine people performing an essential community service. We owe them a debt of gratitude and that is why I am voting NO on the Public Hospital District’s EMS levy extension!

The requested Hospital District-EMS levy is an end-run that goes against the Community Advisory Board’s recommendation, is contrary to the best practice of combining EMS with Fire and rescue, an abrogation of the previous PHD and Fire Department agreement, and only serves to perpetuate the bloated salaries of PHD management.

A local physician summed up the situation well: “Beyond lofty salaries and managerial incompetence what irritates me most is the way… PHD… treats the volunteer EMTs….like expendable chattel that should sit down and be quiet. That is why over 12 EMTs resigned from SJIEMS in late 2020 and joined the ranks of Fire #3.

It is in the best interest of the community to transfer responsibility for EMS to Fire and Rescue and approve a levy funding such in November of this year, after all the existing Hospital District levy expires in 2023. It is time to call a halt to the gamesmanship and mismanagement. Join me in Voting NO to the PHD-EMS levy request.

Michael Gallagher

Friday Harbor