A private ambulance company about to begin service in Pend Oreille County says they're being told not to respond to calls local fire volunteers can handle on their own.
One fire chief said it's a matter of saving resources, but the company says it won't be able to survive.
When Pend Oreille paramedics begin service in Pend Oreille county, they will be the only first responders licensed to transport patients requiring advanced life support. Some local fire crews here say that resource is too precious to waste on calls volunteer crews can already manage, but the company says without those lower lever emergencies, it can't afford to stay in operation. It's a fight to save lives in the county between private, and public first responders.