Defibrillators

"With the many health care providers within the district, it is no longer viable to use tax dollars exclusively to be in support of one hospital," Hickey said.

Hickey said all of the governance of Sequoia Hospital should be entirely transferred to Catholic Healthcare West and the district should not be in the business of philanthropy.

Others, however, were in support of the districts and their endeavors.

Don Horsley, the county's former sheriff and a newly-elected board member for Sequoia, said the district provides funding to community organizations that would otherwise not receive it.

The commission has no jurisdiction to alter the districts' structure; it is merely charged with review.

Any structural change would require voter approval.

"We're merely exploring alternatives here ...

this is not an attack on the districts," said Howard Jones, the Local Agency Formation Commission chair.

"Frankly, my own opinion is that the districts have done a good job." Staff writer Rebekah Gordon can be reached at (650) 306-2428 or rgordon@sanmateocountytimes.com.Print Email Return to Top Comment on this article by clicking on the link below.

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In 2006, with a paramedic stationed in downtown Snohomish, emergency responders got to patients in six minutes, on average, documents show.

That's well below the national standard of eight minutes, Collins said.

Since January, it has taken up to 16 minutes for the best emergency medical care to reach people in Snohomish, Collins said.

Privacy laws prohibit officials from sharing whether the delays have meant death or irreparable harm.

Ultimately, people such as Dr.

Ihle say, the decision comes down to what neighbors want for the area.

"Either you provide as a community or none of us have it," he said.

Snohomish Fire District 4 EMS levy A $1.2 million emergency medical services levy is before voters in Snohomish County Fire District 4.

If approved, the levy will restore paramedic services to the area.

In January, paramedic services were canceled because of lack of money.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Without local paramedic service, people having a heart attack, stroke or other medical emergency may have to wait twice as long, about 14 minutes, for help to arrive.

If the levy fails, neighboring communities are under no obligation to send help.

HOW MUCH?

Approving the levy would add about $140 a year in taxes to a home valued at $400,000.

PARAMEDIC vs.

EMT: Paramedics receive about 10 times the training provided to emergency medical technicians.

Paramedics can give patients medicine, open airways using tubes ...