Our Voice : Citizens For a Better Lebanon Maine

41 responses so far ↓

• 1 jasoncole // Feb 10, 2010 at 10:54 am

  Thank you for this post, I think it helps the volunteers who do so much for the community to see the post.

  I understand times are tough and money is tight. I have been going out talking with residents and groups and the most common thing I hear is that they cannot afford more taxes, period.

  After I explain that the ambulance has actually a decreasing tax effect, they are all for it. We will do our best to get the word out about not only the need, but the financial benefits of it. If we lose the revenue to other towns because they come in and take our patients when we have multiple calls (happens often), we are also hurting the patients because they are waiting for ambulances. The revenue is brought into town when we transport and we can write bills off if you can’t pay, but area departments will not do that. We have received several complaints about huge ambulance bills and no recourse when mutual aid comes in. The revenue is designated for rescue, but sits in the general fund and the town can use it instead of borrowing money when money is tight and then pay it back. So, the ambulance revenue saves a lot of money in interest payments on tax anticipations notes.

  Above all other issues, the residents deserve to have equipment to help them during a medical emergency. The fact that it will not cost them anything and that it will help keep the department self funded is even better, but we do not want to lose sight of why we help the community.

  Every volunteer donates so much between mandatory state training, community education, community events, sporting events, and emergency calls. We are SO fortunate when you look at what towns are paying for ambulance service to have an ALL volunteer department with so many great people.

  I thank you for your post and appreciate your support!

  Jason Cole
  Asst Rescue Chief

• 2 Matt S. // Feb 10, 2010 at 11:38 am

  I have lived in town most of my life and my family has needed the rescue. Not only were they very fast getting there, they were extremely competent and friendly. I have followed their success and am very proud of all the volunteers and want to say thank you! I have family just over the border in Milton and they pay about 200,000 plus revenue for their ambulance and they have less calls. We are so fortunate to have great volunteers and great leadership of those members.

• 3 WHATEVER // Feb 10, 2010 at 3:08 pm

  Pay it back! Its townspeople money. I understand about the revenue but the funds that are made can not go back to rescue. They are not self funded. They charge for trasport to insurance companies and that money belongs to the town. Transport done by town proprety. To say you don’t have to pay, now the town is paying for that transport. Make money for the TOWN not a general fund with earmark rescue.

• 4 Sarah // Feb 10, 2010 at 3:32 pm

  Whaterver,

  Its been a while – but there goes the FD bashing the rescue again for their tremendous work -

  Lebanon is one of the only towns left that has a self funded department. Most towns are getting a ton of money.

  When we voted for the ambulance and to start transporting, we were told the money would go to keep the department self funded. Thats what we voted and that was the will of the people.

  Thank you rescue volunteers, we all know you do a great job and there are jealous people like whartever!!

• 5 Sarah // Feb 10, 2010 at 3:34 pm

  The vote clearly states to keep the money in the account to be used for next years rescue budget.

  Time to study again Whartever!

• 6 jasoncole // Feb 10, 2010 at 3:52 pm

  Thank you again for the positive comments. You will never please everyone and I am sure that Whatever is not educated on the votes, etc.

  You are correct, the townspeople asked us to stay self funded and we have done that for several years and will continue to do our best.

  The people know the truth and some people are jealous, but responding to their postings will only cause more bashing like several weeks ago.

  We will do our best to get the word out and appreciate all of your support.

• 7 WHATEVER // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:17 pm

  Were is the bashing? Not bashing, if we can double the income by adding a ambulance go for it but give the money back to the town not a department. Oh this is not from the Fire Department.

• 8 striveforchange // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:19 pm

  I haven’t seen any comments for a while. I guess I’ve been too busy with other stuff lol….. Gosh whaterever where have you been? lol
  Sara is right about the vote. ALL of our volunteers are great. Keep up the good work Jason……..

• 9 jasoncole // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:21 pm

  We all know from your earlier posts what department you belong to, and thats your feelings.

  The rescue department was voted on by the voters, overwhelmingly, to take revenue from patients to pay for the service. The money is used to keep the department self funded and is the WILL OF THE VOTERS.

  Maybe you won’t hide behind a mask and share your name?

  Again, I thank all the supporters out there and the over 500 people that signed the ambulance petition. We will do our best to get the word out for the need of this ambulance.

• 10 WHATEVER // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:27 pm

  Time for change. How much money is taken in a year? Double it. Does it take that much to run a department?

• 11 striveforchange // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:37 pm

  I truly believe everyone knows that the ambulance is much needed. Several times this year I thought for sure my husband was going to have to call them. The stress we were going through was just so much. I had to chuckle after that because even if Jason and them came up I don’t think the roll bed would have fit through my door lol. I just had to make a funny. The need for an ambulance is a serious matter and I just don’t understand the town selectmen, or maybe I do……. It is truly sad. I keep forgetting to change my s/n and put my real name in its Claire Henderson for those who don’t already know. Thanks for reminding me Jason…..

• 12 jasoncole // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:38 pm

  The rescue department brings in enough money to pay for the budget and pay for the ambulance. There is not a huge pot of money…

  The rescue chief is very transparent with everything they do, look on their website and you can see every penny received and spent. They also put the corporation accounts in their.

  The people have spoken. This is how it was set up and how the people voted on it. We again will do our best to get the word out, and based on getting over 500 signatures in less then 2 weeks, I think we have the support. But, people who are uneducated are always fun to deal with!!

• 13 jasoncole // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:40 pm

  thanks Claire,

  Whatever or whartever his name is this week, is very jealous and we can never change that, but its fun!!

• 14 jasoncole // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:42 pm

  Also Claire,

  Sam has been working with all the area chiefs to show their budgets and their income – it is a very impressive graph – you will be amazed at what towns the same size get for budgets PLUS spend their revenue on CIP items like ambulances.

• 15 striveforchange // Feb 10, 2010 at 4:46 pm

  LOL Jason are you speaking to me or WHARTEVER or WHATEVER or WHATEREVER lol …………………

• 16 Laugh Out Loud!! // Feb 10, 2010 at 6:42 pm

  Here we go again, whartever, AKA whatever, AKA HUH, AKA : – )

  You have already made it clear you was on the fire department, but last time you got caught in a lie and someone pointed it out to you and you tried to cover it up, and then u got caught again…..

  The people did vote and we are all in favor of the new ambulance and keeping the department self funded. They are doing what they promised they would do.

  I have friends on both fire and rescue and have been told that fire hasn’t had a call in like 3 weeks. Rescue jut got called out now and have had over 75 calls this year already. So leave them alone, they need the money to keep self funded.

• 17 striveforchange // Feb 10, 2010 at 8:01 pm

  I have to agree laugh out loud

• 18 Confused // Feb 10, 2010 at 9:17 pm

  Looking at the fire dept website, it looks like they havent had a call since January 19th, 22 days ago? I am confused, hence my name, why they need so much money and so many fire trucks for our small town? I see other towns buying used trucks older then the one that they just fixed? I know this post was about the rescue and forgive me, I don’t know how to start a new post. It seems like our fire department gets too much money – look at all the area towns and they have the same if not more calls. CUT THE MONEY – SAVE MY TAXES – NO NEW FIRE TRUCK!!

• 19 Appreciative // Feb 11, 2010 at 10:05 am

  Thank you to the Lebanon Rescue Department for all that you do. We have used the ambulance service several times, and we appreciate the level of care that you’ve shown to our family, and your response time is unbelieveably fast. My family supports the Lebanon Rescue and always will. To the ones who speak badly about the Lebanon Rescue, wait until you need them, you’ll feel very ashamed. We need a newer ambulance deperately, take a ride in the one we have and you’ll understand why. We’re very lucky to have this great team of people (mostly volunteers)! Thank you.

• 20 WHATEVER // Feb 11, 2010 at 1:47 pm

  Lets start by saying that Whatever is just one person and that only person’s opinion. I’m not one of the people at town hall, relateted to anyone at the dump, or even a voice of the fire department which you all have labled me. I just don’t like what is happing in town. Lets say that Rescue gets 700 calls a year, a transport cost is I think around $1000.00. That looks to me like $70000.00 and on top of that they get what $70,000 for budget from your taxes. Now I don’t know how it happen but now the town is paying for the Rescue station maintance. It is also now the towns EOC. I thought the building was condemed. So out of that tax money pays for maintance of the vehicles and fuel also pay for the volunteers.Where does the rest go, parties and tee shirts? Now lets get a second ambulance and put that money back into our town. It also could be more if Rescue didn’t give free transports. Who makes that call? NO BASHING

• 21 Rita // Feb 11, 2010 at 2:18 pm

  Whatever, it appears once again, that you do not know anything about what you are talking about.

  The rescue has stated they bring in about 70-100 thousand a year in revenue. They have not received ANY taxpayer money as you stated, their budget is strictly from the revenue they brought in. So, you are trying to MISLEAD people in saying on top of the revenue they bring in, they also get $70,000 from taxpayers. The ambulance, the budget and everything for the rescue has cost the taxpayers zero for the past several years. thats right, THEY HAVE COST ZERO!!

  I think you are a very jealous person. I see that you don’t deny being a member of the FD, just not a voice of them, LOL. We all know!!

  The rescue does an incredible job, they cost us nothing and they are the busiest all volunteer department in the state. We are fortunate to have them.

  As far as the t-shirts and parties, my business donated to the rescue to pay for the appreciation party for the volunteers. If you read anything, (I AM NOT SURE IF YOU DID BECAUSE THERE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN PICTURES TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND), the rescue chief got all donations for that.

  The good question is, the rescue does 700 calls and their budget is like $70,000 Their volunteers get a stipend – they have 3 times more members and calls then the fire department, but the fire department gets more of a stipend – its easy to see who does it for helping the community.

  Confused, I agree with your post, its been 23 days now and no fire calls. Must be hard spending that stipend money!!

• 22 Jason Cole // Feb 11, 2010 at 3:18 pm

  Whatever

  You are incorrect. Lebanon Rescue has not received any taxpayer money in several years, except for some minor group rate insurance that all the town departments share.

  The ambulance, paid by revenue
  The budgets, paid by revenue

  Also, the volunteer appreciation dinner and BBQ was paid for by donations – NO taxpayer money was used- NONE.

  And, the second ambulance will not double the revenue – it will bring in enough revenue to pay for itself and when the lease is done, then thats all revenue that the department can use to keep self funded.

  Your ignorance on things you post sometimes is funny and I am glad people can see that you do not do your homework! You always are negative against these volunteers and their work to provide the best emergency medical services and costs the town nothing. You do not need to belittle others to try to get what you want. The voters will all have a chance in June to vote on ALL the items. The ambulance and rescue budget my friend have cost nothing and we hope to get this 2nd ambulance to keep it that way!!

• 23 dont understand // Feb 11, 2010 at 3:41 pm

  i read about your last fire a fully involved 10 / 12 shed which u struck a second alarm so u had 15 trucks and probly 40 firemen from surrounding communties which was wasteing other towns in the areas money due to calling them in for that so why does the rescue have to pay for your equipment when u have equipment that never goes out we are not living in a big city like rochester o wait they think we are so they want to spend 450.000 on a new fire truck in case they get that big fire someday at the cost of the taxpayers

• 24 WHATEVER // Feb 11, 2010 at 4:20 pm

  I have not belittle anyone on any of my post ever. I just want what is right for the town. Just trying to find out where all the money is going or is going to go. I did said get the second ambulance just make sure the money goes to the townspeople. How many runs will the second ambulance need to run to pay for itself? How many times is a second ambulance needed for TRANSPORT? Not a transport for a rash or a cut hand, really needed, key words. This is about a ambulance not the volunteers. So don’t try to deflect the question.

• 25 dont understand // Feb 11, 2010 at 4:56 pm

  i see a new post from the fire department posting to see a new truck 3 hours befor it arrives whos idea was that and if they want to be transported for a rash or any thing it does not matter. and if someone gets transported for a rash it s for a reason since u have an oppinion whatever for everything why dont u join the rescue and see how thing s go about and i am not bashing anyone and if u read the budget for the rescue the ambulance is all ready paid for u need to get facts stright befor u open ur mouth about issues . why are u defending the fd all the time

• 26 Jason Cole // Feb 11, 2010 at 5:35 pm

  Looking at the times we have had to drop off one patient and rush back or call in mutual aid they include:

  - Several chest pain patients
  - Several difficulty breathing patients
  - Several unconscious patients
  - Several motor vehicle accident victims
  - Several diabetic emergencies
  - Several seizure patients
  - Unattanded deaths
  Some lacerations

  So, people who need an ambulance that have minor injuries don’t deserve the ambulance??

  The above serious calls are just a partial list of the many calls we had to call in mutual aid for.

  Again, more attempts to spread mis-information!!

• 27 laugh at Whartever // Feb 11, 2010 at 5:37 pm

  Hey Whartever,

  The fire truck would be used like 10 times a year, if that, the ambulance over 200 times (more calls then the FD has all year!).

  So stop showing your ignorance.

  No one cares and your making the FD look bad!!

• 28 Whatever // Feb 11, 2010 at 6:40 pm

  I understand that Rescue had to call in mutial aide. But tell the whole thing. Were they called in because of the level of care that was needed? I have not said anything about a fire truck that is a different story. I’m also not getting into what or how many trucks and people are called in by fire department. Mr. Cole as a former Capt. in the fire service you know that by NFPA they say it takes 12 to 14 people on a fire ground to attack any fire. How close are the other buildings, weather are just a few factors. These are just some things that have to happen to make it safe for all. As a selectman you have not said a word in defense of your fire department through all these comment. But boy have you defended Rescue. No one has attacked Rescue this is about a AMBULANCE. That is it.

• 29 Jason Cole // Feb 11, 2010 at 6:52 pm

  No, this was due to multiple calls or our ambulance being at the hospital, not for an ALS intercept. Our ALS handles 98% of all ALS calls in town, unlike most area towns that can’t even get a crew.

  Please check your info again, LOL!!!!

  I have said positive things about the fire truck, but until I get the figures and see the overall budget, will not say if I am going to vote for it. I need to look for the best of all the citizens, including those having a hard time paying taxes. I voted to add it to the referendum and at the budget committee said we should set money aside each year. The ambulance costs the taxpayers nothing, helps keep the rescue department self funded and that is why I openly support that. When I see the figures on the truck and the rest of the budget, I will know how I stand on the fire truck and will be happy to share!!

  I will always defend ALL of the volunteers of this town. I will not agree to a vehicle if we cannot afford it or may be able to wait.

• 30 Laugh at Whartever // Feb 11, 2010 at 6:54 pm

  I agree with Jason – lets see the numbers and then see the need – if we can afford it, then maybe – if we need it, then yes.

  Lets see the facts – the paper today showed me we don’t need it

• 31 Laugh at Whartever // Feb 11, 2010 at 6:56 pm

  During one of your other posts whartever, you mentioned every other town had quints and all this other BS – then you were proven wrong and hid for a while -

  Once a liar, always a liar!

• 32 Laugh at Whartever // Feb 11, 2010 at 6:57 pm

  I would go to the public viewing tonight, but am so turned off because of people like DUH/HUH/Whatever/WHARTEVER that I might as well just vote no!

• 33 striveforchange // Feb 11, 2010 at 8:56 pm

  Worried citizen, Huh, Whaterver, Whartever or what ever,

  We have been quietly watching your posts, and just have this to add,
  “A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing, In you’re case, it is a deadly weapon”.

• 34 WHATEVER // Feb 12, 2010 at 8:12 am

  You all say you want numbers. That is what I aske for and got a percentage. I would like a NUMBER. You all are worried about back to back calls but you don’t say anything about your resources sitting on a lake at a event the is in a other town. You all say it will bring in revenue, for who not the town. I said defend the department not a truck. I have not mention anything about a truck for the fire department. People with minor injuries don’t need a Ambulance, use one of the other vehicles that way it won’t tie up the Ambulance.

• 35 Also Laughing at Whartever // Feb 12, 2010 at 8:42 am

  Wow whartever, I think the info that the second ambulance would be used more then 200 times is a number – not a percentage. When I went to school, 200 would be considered a whole number. Usually a percentage is followed by a % and is usually a number between 0 and 1o0%, except when you see that the rescue department has more then a 800% increase in calls since being founded in 1981 and more then 300% increase since 2000.

  The more you speak, the more people see your ignorance!!!

  Also, I think if you read, again I understand there are no pictures, the reports that Chief Cole does each week, she highlights that each week or almost each week when the 2nd ambulance was needed. Then you look at the FD and see its now been like 24 days since the FD has had 1 call? Whartever, look at the rescue website, Jason and Sam present all the information including financial info. Hey Jason and Sam, is there anyway to incorporate pictures so whartever or whatever he is calling themself today can understand more clearly, LMAO!!

  Its easy to see, read any fire or rescue magazine, Lebanon is experiencing the same thing every town and city is across the town. Fire calls are down 80-90 percent and firefighters are being laid off. EMS and Rescue workers are experiencing skyrocketing calls and now account for 80-90% of all emergency services calls.

  Again, just an example of whartever trying to take credit away from the rescue volunteers.

  Also, FYI: The reason Lebanon Rescue stands by at the ice races, most of the race track is guess what, in LEBANON! Wow, why would the town ambulance stand by for an event in their own town, lol. Maybe you should do some reasearch!!

• 36 Confused // Feb 12, 2010 at 8:49 am

  The ice races are in Lebanon and they sit there to protect people – its nice to see them pro-active and keep people safe instead of re-active and people wait for an ambulance. I think its great that they stand by and agree, thank you to the volunteers that donate their entire day to be there – and guess what, if they get a call, they leave and the ambulance is on the road already staffed that much quicker!!

  I also agree, rescue calls are skyrocketing due to health care crisis across america. Its only going to get busier.

  Those do look like whole numbers to me, but I have been out of school for a long time, maybe they changed percentages since I was there!

  Anyone who wants to go through the hospital should have that right. They shouldnt have some firefighter who has no training saying they should drive themself – that is ignorance!

  Whatever, the ambulance revenue does go to the town. Jason explained it earlier in a post, the money sits in the general fund and used by the town instead of the town borrowing money. Then the next year the rescue uses that money to keep SELF FUNDED. Wow, what a concept – superb service at no taxpayer money.

  Thank you Samantha, Jason and all the volunteers!

• 37 A True Fix // Mar 5, 2010 at 8:00 pm

  After reading all these post its clear that there is conflict between the FD and the Rescue Dept. This is why the departments should be combined and ran by the same chief, establish a Capital Inprovements plan and plan for the future. Its essential that the fire department and ems can work togehter and not fight against eachother for money. A town should not be asking to purchase an ambulance and a new fire truck in the same year. 2010 is here its time for the younger generation to take over, re-structure public safety with a new Fire-Rescue Chief and start planning for the future..

• 38 Former Member // Mar 5, 2010 at 10:30 pm

  A true fix,

  I am not sure if you read the comments fully. It looks like 1 firefighter who is anti-rescue made some comments. The other people who were making comments I dont think are on rescue if you look at their posts.

  I think this would be a great idea if Sam and Jason had the time or desire to lead both. They have built up the busiest volunteer rescue department in the state.

  I am a rescue member who also used to be on the fd. I know the rescue and fire were merged for a short time and it failed miserably. Look at how bad it is in Milton, they never get crews, their ambulance budget is like 200,000 and they never get a crew when their rescue people are not working. Its sad. The fact is most ambulance services are seperate from FD’s. Theres many reasons for this.

  When we fell under the fd, the fire chief had no clue about the ambulance. Even though the ambulance has triple the calls the fd has, they took the rescue budget and fixed fire trucks, paid for fire equipment and other things. So many people left. Skip wood when he was appointed chief made it clear that the rescue should not be part of the fd and they seperated.

  You also loose grant money if you are combined. Look at all the things the rescue has got the town for no cost through grants. When your combined, you can only do one grant instead of 2 each year.

  I agree the newer generation should take over. Look how far Sam and Jason have brought the ambulance service.

  If you look on the rescue rooster, they have a ton of members that left the fire department and never want to be members. If you ever combined them, you would see a lot of members quit.

  The other thing you have wrong is, both departments work together fine. They work together great on scenes, the rescue helped the fire department with storm calls this past storm and the officers of both departments meet often to discuss any concerns.

  As far as the CIP, the rescue has had money to buy the very needed ambulance for years, at no cost. Last time it barely didnt pass, and this year hopefully it will.

  When you combine fire and rescue, you lose members, you lose funding, you lose grant opportunities and so much more. Both have good people and both are working fine. This is absolutely hilarious! MOST departments are not combined. Again, look how bad Milton has it. They pay so much money for barely any response. Lebanon Rescue has been self funded for years and have a great membership and are considered to be top notch in townspeople and area departments eyes.

  We will never have full-time people in public safety and when you combine them, thats all they look for.

  Leave good enough alone!

• 39 Laugh out loud!!! // Mar 5, 2010 at 10:51 pm

  I agree former member, I know people on fire and rescue and they work together fine. I also know that most departments are seperate, if you look at a recent Fire Chief magazine, more then 74% have seperate ambulances from FD. The other 26 % is mostly cities. When you read it, it does say that FD’s have to try to hold onto EMS as fire calls only account for about 19% of the calls, while EMS accounts for about 81%. It says many department are seperating because EMS is so specialized and they need to have their own agencies.

  Both have important but very different jobs. Would you combine the police with fire just because they both respond to car accidents? Makes no sense.

  The rescue does a great job and people realize how good Sam and Jason and all the officers lead lebanon rescue. Obviously, or they wouldn’t have such a great crew!!

  Milton is a good example, always saying they need more full time people because they can’t get people to respond to calls when their 2 other full time people are off-duty.

  Lebanon should never have ANY full time people, even though I am sure the rescue is busy enough for it. The FD had like 3 calls last month, luckily they had a wind storm to give them a few calls.

  One agency demonstated the need for the new ambulance and got over 500 signatures in a couple weeks for the ambulance. The other wants $400,000 for a fire truck they state they dont really need. So figure out who is really the issue!!

• 40 A True Fix // Mar 6, 2010 at 8:32 pm

  After doing a little research i wanted to clear somthing up, a few times people have said things about milton, i have family that lives in Milton and their ambulance budget it 135,000 thats far away from 200,000 (its posted on their website) And as far as i can recall the town has never asked for more full time people. Now im not real sure about the ambulance getting out the door but i do know that my family has called for the ambulance a few times, and they are very quick and professional. Opinions are great and feel free the speak them, however if you are going to speak facts or about another town or person, do your homework first.

• 41 Fact Checker // Mar 6, 2010 at 9:10 pm

  Well “A True Fix” you appear to be wrong on this one and the others right.

  A simple google of milton ambulance budget showed several articles, all with the same price

  Fosters has ” The proposed ambulance budget was agreed upon at $180,339, with Nadeau abstaining.”

  You put to do your homework, it looks like the others have and you HAVE NOT!!

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