JFAC adds $250,000 and 3 FTE to support EMS transfer to Military Division

The Joint Finance Corporation Committee voted to provide $250,000 in dedicated funds and three full-time-equivalent positions to the Military Division's military management program to support the recently approved transfer of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from the Department of Health and Welfare.

Frances Lippett, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, said the request adds personnel to cover administrative, procurement, fiscal and human-resources functions for EMS after the program moves. "When this goes over to the military, those support people that helped out on EMS at Health and Welfare are no longer there, and so they need somebody to pick up that work for them," Lippett said. She explained the Military Division has a smaller support staff compared with the Department of Health and Welfare (the analyst cited 435 FTP versus 3,000 at Health and Welfare), and the added positions and funding will provide administrative support during transition.

Senator Burkey moved the funding addition and Representative Galaviz seconded. Senator Bjerke urged support, calling the relocation "an instance where they took on this change and ... set the course for the future of EMS in the state of Idaho." The committee recorded a final tally of 16 ayes and 4 nays; the chair announced the majority had voted in the affirmative and that the item will move forward with a do-pass recommendation.

Analysts and members described the action as transition support: the funding is for personnel in the military management program that houses administrative, fiscal and procurement functions and is intended to cover tasks that Health and Welfare previously provided centrally.