BROOK PARK, Ohio — Firefighters and paramedics from across the region joined Brook Park responders to protest privatizing EMS.
They organized a demonstration outside a city council meeting Tuesday night, objecting to the mayor’s proposal to hire a private ambulance company for emergency medical services, Fox 8 reports.
“Privatizing EMS is unsafe, unfair and hurts us all,” said Matt Wright, president of the firefighters’ union, Local 1141.
Hundreds packed the city council chambers to voice their concerns. A formal proposal has not been made.
“We’re just trying to send a message, clear message early that this is not the way to go,” Write said. “Fire-based EMS is the way to go; it’s far superior of a system to have to provide EMS to the community.”
Brook Park Mayor Tom Coyne admitted that privatizing EMS services could put firefighter jobs in jeopardy.