Ambulance information is available

To the editor,

Thank you for the editorial regarding our initiative. We agree that the public needs to be informed. We have been holding numerous public meetings within the county to do just that. This driving force to form an ambulance district is made up of city and county firefighters, first responders, EMS personnel, county and city leaders, police and health- care workers.

Forming a countywide ambulance district is not an unproven concept but a proven solution. The vast majority of Missouri counties are tax-based ambulance districts like our group is advocating. Many of our citizens feel this is the best solution in providing high-quality, timely services in our county.

If the citizens vote in favor of forming a district, it would increase taxes. But it would also vastly improve emergency medical services. State law directs that the funds could only be used for the ambulance district, which would be run by an elected board who represent the taxpayers.

When you deploy a fire department on a non-fire emergency, who responds to the fire calls? Appropriately stationed ambulances within the cities and county will reduce response times, free up first responders sooner and save lives.

We encourage anyone to talk to us and hear what our experience, knowledge and training have to say and understand why we are advocating what we know is the best long-term solution for the county.

We also encourage the citizens to talk to their police, EMTs, paramedics, nurses, first responders and firefighters about this issue.

RANDY EVERETT, CARLA EVERETT, BARBARA MUELLER, RON KIPLINGER and KAREN MAZZOLA, Friends of Cape Girardeau Ambulance District