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Westfir council backs Oakridge request to extend ambulance‑service waivers
Summary
The Westfir City Council unanimously voted to support Oakridge Fire & EMS’ request to extend two ambulance waivers enabling ALS transport with a paramedic and non‑EMT driver and allowing volunteers to respond from home; Oakridge leaders said the extensions are needed due to staffing limits.
Mayor Richard Watson and the Westfir City Council voted to support Oakridge Fire & EMS’ request for two ambulance‑service waivers after hearing from Oakridge Fire Chief Scott Hollett, who participated via videoconference.
Chief Hollett explained that Oakridge seeks (1) an extension that allows Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport with a paramedic and a non‑EMT driver and (2) a waiver permitting volunteers to respond from home directly to incident scenes. He told the council the waivers have been used for many years and must be renewed to allow Oakridge Fire & EMS to continue serving the area given current staffing limitations. The council reviewed Chief Hollett’s email request and sample letters of support supplied for municipal governing bodies.
Councilor Deretta Huey moved that Westfir provide a letter of support for the waiver extensions; Councilor Jara Mouracade seconded the motion, which carried 4–0 (AYES: Watson, Huey, Cheatham, Mouracade). The council’s action authorizes the mayor to sign a letter of support for Oakridge Fire & EMS as part of the county/regional waiver application process.
