Lewiston council directs staff to rewrite out‑of‑area transport language, keeping 14‑hour safety limit
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Summary
After a lengthy briefing by fire and hospital officials, the council directed staff to remove prescriptive destination listings from the code and to draft language that focuses on a 14‑hour completion/safety limit for out‑of‑area ambulance transports; the motion passed on a voice vote.
The council took up a multi‑hour briefing on proposed changes to the city’s out‑of‑area ambulance transport fee schedule and operational guidance, focusing on when Lewiston Fire Department units should undertake transports that originate or end outside the city.
Fire Chief Greg Reitmeyer presented background, noting a five‑year review of transports and operational considerations. He said long transports are rare (for example, 59 transports in 2025, many within the valley, one to Chehalis and several to the Coeur d’Alene/Spokane area) but can be operationally demanding. Chief Reitmeyer explained a recent change in interpretation led the department to re-evaluate which destinations the ordinance name‑checks.
Ed Frieser, chief executive officer for Saint Joe’s (the hospital), and other hospital representatives described how transfer decisions are clinician‑driven and how bed availability affects transport demand. Frieser emphasized patient safety concerns and warned that limiting transports could delay critical transfers in some emergency scenarios.
Councilors raised fiscal and policy questions: whether transports are financially self‑sustaining, jurisdictional issues about charging private hospitals or patients, and risks to firefighter safety for very long trips. City Attorney Jennifer Tingano/Tangano reminded councilors that policy choices about use of city resources are subject to state constitutional constraints and recommended considering contracts if services benefit private hospitals.
After extended discussion, Councilor Wright moved and Councilor Forsman seconded a direction for staff to draft ordinance/resolution language that removes specific destination lists from the code and instead limits out‑of‑area transports by a 14‑hour service/completion safety standard; the motion passed on a voice vote. Chief Reitmeyer and staff will draft the language and work with the city clerk to place it on the next regular agenda for formal adoption. The council also directed continued engagement with valley partners to assess systemwide EMS needs and potential contracting arrangements.
No fee change or formal rate revision was adopted at the working session; the action authorized staff to craft draft language for council consideration.
