Representatives of local fire-based emergency medical services told the Columbia County Board of Commissioners on June 4 that a planned change in ambulance transport contracts risks reducing service and endangering residents.

In public comment, Josh Marks, representing the Scappoose Fire District and speaking for Chief Pritchard, told Commissioners Garrett, McGruder and Smith that “it is crucial that you recognize the importance of working collaboratively on our existing fire based EMS providers in County.” He said fire-based EMS has provided stable service for decades and that there have been “no performance issues.”

Marks said the county’s timeline for contract changes was constrained after the county attorney delivered a second draft only on March 25, which he said consumed more than three months of a six-month extension window. He warned that a proposed shift to a private, for‑profit vendor would reduce ambulance availability: “During most of the week, we comfortably have 10 ambulances operating… From what we have been told… the private company can only provide 6 ambulances,” he said, arguing that the reduction would “severely compromise our response capabilities.”

Marks also raised operational concerns if fire agencies are prohibited from transporting starting July 1, saying 9‑1‑1 dispatch centers “cannot build run cards in advance” and that coordination with Washington County dispatch would also be required. He urged the commissioners to rely on data and collaboration before making changes.

The comments were made during the meeting’s public comment period; the transcript shows no vote or formal board action on EMS transport at the June 4 session. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the concerns during the meeting and said they would continue discussions. The public comment also referenced a recent election approval rate of about 76% in support of fire-based services, per the speaker’s remarks.

The record shows this item was a citizen request for the board to continue collaborative planning rather than a request that the board take immediate legislative action. The board did not adopt a new policy, motion, or contract change during the public-comment segment.