wskrayen

Yes, AMR was owned by Laidlaw. Paramedics Plus picked up AMR's contract in Alameda County. I vaquely remember Alameda was not happy with AMR, but not sure.

No, but I think it has more to do with buses being operated by contractors. The transit agencies are required to bid out a certain percentage of routes, and in many cases operate those routes with agency supplied buses. But in my county, AMR has San Joaqiun County EMS on the the side of their rigs, and patches on their uniforms, as does Paramedics First in Alameda County. I don't see a need for it, but in Sacramento, you pays your money and get your law, needed or not.,

Below is the list of those in support and opposition,

SUPPORT : (Verified 5/10/13)

California Labor Federation (co-source)
California Professional Firefighters (co-source)
Consumer Federation of California (co-source)
California Conference Board of the Amalgamated Transit Union
California Conference of Machinists
California Teamsters Public Affairs Council
Engineers and Scientists of California
International Longshore & Warehouse Union
Professional & Technical Engineers, Local 21
UNITE HERE!
United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Western States Council
Utility Workers Union of America, Local 132

OPPOSITION : (Verified 5/10/13)
Associated General Contractors
Building Owners and Managers Association of California
California Ambulance Association
California Business Properties Association
California Chamber of Commerce
California Chapter of American Fence Association
California Employment Law Council
California Fence Contractor's Association
California Hospital Association
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
California Restaurant Association
California Trucking Association
Civil Justice Association of California
CSAC Excess Insurance Authority
Engineering Contractor's Association
Flasher Barricade Association
International Council of Shopping Centers
International Franchise Association
International Warehouse Logistics Association
Marin Builders Association
Messenger Courier Association of America
NAIOP of California, the Commercial Real Estate Development
Association
National Federation of Independent Business
Personal Insurance Federation of California
Rural County Representatives of California
Western Electrical Contractors Association

Says exactly what AMR says it does.. The bill as admended

Actually they are looking at closing 3 Engines, and 2 trucks. Engine 1, Engine 6 (the Water Rescue Company), Engine 7 are on the chopping block. Also to be closed are Truck 4 (currently temporarily closed), and Truck 3(The USAR Rescue Company). They are talking about putting a 2 person rescue squad at Station 4 to augment on-duty staffing. I'm not sure if they mean the Pierce Quantum Rescue that is the second piece of Truck 3, or pickup based light rescue. This takes the city back to pre-1957 levels, yes 1957, when the city population was 25% of what is today and the city was physically much smaller. This leaves 10 Engines and 2 trucks to cover 84 sq miles. The plan also reduces staffing from 223 to 145 sworn personnel. But then the city fathers have been waging a war on the Fire department for many years, at least from appearances.

Disclosure: Engine 7 is first due to my house.