Jim Bernard - Selling Out On Public Safety (Photo) - 12/01/20

Soon after Clackamas County Commissioner Jim Bernard lost his bid for re-election in November he began pushing to reward American Medical Response (AMR), a for-profit company, with an Evergreen Contract.  This contract would grant AMR a lifetime agreement to provide ambulance services to Clackamas County without an open competitive process.  Bernard’s push also eliminates the current process Clackamas County utilizes to award future contracts opting for one that has underdeveloped performance standards and lacks checks and balances.

“Transparency is a key to good government,” said Mark Corless, President of the Professional Firefighters of Clackamas County.  “To change or subvert the long-standing process that was put in place to ensure out residents would receive quality services at a competitive rate is not just inappropriate, it’s poor governance. It’s obvious that this is unnecessary – commissioners need to reject this proposal.”

The Clackama County EMS Council, made up of Stakeholders from throughout Clackamas County, including fire and emergency medical services, was tasked by the Board of County Commissioners to develop standards for the ambulance service contract Request for Proposal process starting in 2022. The EMS Council is currently working on a wide array of enhancements that will improve Emergency Medical Services within Clackamas County for generations to come. Awarding an Evergreen Contract at this point will hinder efforts to make improvements and expand the system as our population grows. 

“Clackamas County’s current contract with AMR does not expire for four years – why is Commissioner Bernard rushing to change the process now after he lost his election and is set to leave office?” Corless asked.  "We are simply asking the Board of County Commissioners to allow the EMS Council to fully develop the performance standards to provide the best service possible to the citizens of Clackamas County,” Corless continued.  

Commissioner Bernard proposal ignores the existing process and undermines the work by the EMS Council as directed by the Commssioners.  This issue is on the agenda for today’s special policy session at 2pm. In another departure from the norm, Bernard is asking his fellow Commissioners rush this vote and ratify the AMR Contract in just two weeks at a regular County Commissioner Meeting Thursday, December 17th. 

Chair Jim Bernard:  jbernard@clackamas.us

Commissioner Paul Savas:  psavas@clackamas.us

Commissioner Martha Schrader:  mschrader@clackamas.us

Commissioner Ken Humberston:  khumberston@clackamas.us

Commissioner Sonya Fischer:  sonyafischer@clackamas.us

 

The Professional Firefighters of Clackamas County is the labor representative for over 320 firefighters and paramedics within Clackamas County from the following agencies: Canby Fire District, Clackamas Fire District, Gladstone Fire Department, Lake Oswego Fire Department, Molalla Fire District, and Silverton Fire District. The Professional Firefighters of Clackamas County Local 1159 has served full-time firefighters and EMS professionals since 1954.