HomeMy WebLinkAboutWinter Springs Votes on Ambulances-1994 Winter Springs votes on ambulances
By Will Welton. the ambulance question, the commission would re-
or THE SENTINEL STAFF search the costs further before deciding whether to
start the service.
"It would be something that we would have to con-
WINTER SPRINGS — City voters will be doing sides at budget time,"Bush said.
more on Nov. 8 than picking who they want to lead During his re-election campaign against Moti
their government.They could be taking the first step Khemlani, Langellotti has told residents the city
in deciding who will take them to the hospital in an could provide the service without additional taxes.
emergency. He said the city could get grant money to support
Voters will be asked if they want the city to get the ambulance service,though he has no specifics on
into the business of transporting emergency patients where the city would get the grant money.
to the hospital.That task now is handled by a private However, the ballot question is clear on the issue
company, LifeFleet Atlantic Ambulance —the service would be paid "through the
Service. dedication of a portion of the city's tax rev-
The referendum is a straw poll, which VOTE 194 enues."
only gauges voter opinion. Winter Springs Fire Chief Tim Lallathin
Commissioners have said they will use said that starting an ambulance service
the voters'wishes to decide if they want to - � would cost $300,000, including hiring six
start a tax-supported ambulance service. employees.
Several commissioners argued this past ',� If it is started, Winter Springs would be
summer that it was premature to ask vot- " ' the second of Seminole's seven cities to
ers if they want an ambulance service similar to one have an ambulance service.
that Casselberry provides, because Winter Springs
commissioners did not have a full understan ding of Only Casselberry provides its own service, but
the costs. most cities have.rescue vehicles that can transport
However, Commissioner John Ferring, who along patients if a private service is not available.
with Commissioner John Langellotti pushed for the Throughout Seminole County, fire and rescue de-
referendum, reminded the commission that the partments re spond to medical emergencies and pro-
straw poll was only to check the pulse of public opin- vide first aid. Under a franchise agreement with the
ion. Ferring and Langellotti have said that a public county,LifeFleet Atlantic Ambulance Service, a Fort
ambulance service would be cheaper and more effi- Lauderdale company, carries patients to hospitals.
dent than one provided by a private company. The ambulance company then bills the patient.
Mayor John Bush said this week if voters approve Atlantic has served the county since 1990.
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