Sad to see BVA come to this
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| May 25, 2012 |
Thanks for the providing Boundary County news
online. Although I've become a migrant worker,
teaching in the Wood River Valley, I'm still
keeping my home in Naples and return every
summer.
The Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Association
ultimatum moved me to contact you because we
served together on the ambulance. I served on
BVA for 17 years, and paid quite a price in my
personal life doing so, but I did it because I
couldn't stop.
I felt a responsibility to help my neighbors when
they needed someone to care and protect them if
they were injured or sick. It's a bleeding heart
liberal kind of thing.
I can't help but remember how BVA got its start,
from people being hauled into the hospital in
station wagons, and other compassionate people
wanting to help their community. That was a
noble thing, and I am proud to have been a part
of that.
I have to wonder, though, about the political
and economic climate changes that seemed to have
happened. Is it the change in the Republican
party and society that puts a dollar value on
everything, or the profit motive in almost every
aspect of life that's become endemic?
I have to say that I appreciate what it costs to
run the ambulance, having been involved in the
budget in those years I served. If there's a
problem, why can't vendors for ambulance
services also help?
I also know the sacrifice members make to keep
BVA running.
But when I was a member, we didn't get paid. We
did get reimbursed for things like gas, but it
amounted to only about five dollars an hour for
ambulance runs, and it hardly covered what it
cost in training time, time away from work and
family, and the stress of dealing with the human
suffering that we tried to help lessen.
I'm not supporting the ultimatum or opposing it,
but it makes me sad to think things have come to
this.
Neighbors helping neighbors, supporting the
services and people who put out to help, and
people using their skills, strength and talents
out of a sense of compassion, seems to be dying
out. I think the whole thing is symptomatic of a
selfish and mean spirited turn in our nation.
When a crowd shouts out to agree at a debate
that someone should be allowed to die if they
lack insurance or the ability to pay for care,
and that society doesn't have a responsibility
to be compassionate, it's an ugly thing.
Anyway, I'm sure things will work out. It may
end up that there isn't an ambulance service
anymore, or that people get hauled into the
hospital the best they can. I think it will be a
sad end to what was a noble and honorable
service that BVA provided. I can only hope that
the community does show some support. And I hope
that compassionate people keep helping their
neighbors out of the kindness of their hearts. |
Al Amato
Soon to be back in Naples for the summer
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