By Jordyn Jones
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Baltimore City Board of Estimates on Wednesday reluctantly agreed to continue a $100,000 annual contract with the City Fire Department to provide Emergency Medical Services at sporting events.
Comptroller Bill Henry sternly questioned the cost of having EMS personnel at the sporting events, particularly Orioles games. He asked about the exact price the stadium would be charged per game, and shared concerns of civilians being charged hundreds of dollars for a three-block ambulance transport.
In defending the proposal, James Fisher, building project coordinator, stressed that the goal of the “Ratification and Renewal of Agreement for Emergency Medical Services with Maryland Stadium Authority” is to provide the Fire Department with oversight at stadiums throughout their seasons.
EMS Deputy Chief James Matz said that the stadium would be charged a standard rate per – game, which is typically a seven-hour shift.
However, officials later revealed that the EMS personnel would not be the crew transporting injured citizens from sporting events. The paramedics and other emergency crew would only offer care until another crew came to pick up the injured person.
Henry also expressed concerns about the overall necessity of EMS presence at games and asked if the crew’s overtime hours would be better spent serving citizens rather than sitting at Camden Yard.
Mayor Brandon Scott said that people will be billed for a ride to the nearest hospital from Camden Yards, regardless of an EMS worker being present at the stadium.
Officials responded that the EMS and its role in civilian health and safety was more complex than what board members understood.
Henry countered that it is important that the Maryland Stadium Authority is billed for the full costs.
The board approved renewing the contract after City Council President Nick Mosby promised that staff may follow-up with the EMS representatives later.
In other business, Scott deferred for two weeks action on a contract with a company that rehabilitates primary settling tanks in a wastewater treatment plants. The main concern was whether the Ohio-based construction company, Himarch, was in compliance with Minority Business Enterprise rules.
Matt Garback, a representative of the Department of Public Works, stated that the tanks are settling, and rehabilitation would greatly improve their function. A Himarch representative, Franklin Lee, stated that a Baltimore office would be in use for the duration of the project.
“There is no evidence that there are individuals who regularly manage the firm’s day-to-day operations …. in the Baltimore City market area,” said Jeremy Scholtes, an MBE representative who argued the company does not have a local office and conducts all business from Ohio.
Scholtes said that the $26.4 million contract should be given to a local contractor, which would help the Baltimore economy.
“The whole point of this program is to raise up MBE companies in the Baltimore City area,” Scholtes said.