> guess this interests me because around here, people are falling back
> on volunteer services more and more... or just cutting service
> altogether.
DW>I don't understand the above...  "Falling back on volunteer..." ?  And
      
     Relying on volunteer services might have been better wording.  In 
my hometown (I'm away at University right now), we're still very 
heavily reliant on our volunteer ambulance and fire services.  We are 
also in the designated area covered by the ministry ambulance, with 
paid and often more highly qualified people and better equipment, but 
were recently told that, "since we have the volunteer corps, we are 
lower priority for coverage."  (Which isn't to say our volunteer corps
isn't good... they are.)
DW>the part about "cutting service" is real curious - how can anyone cut
  >EMS services?  So who shows up when someone dials 911 ????
     Well, obviously the ambulance does.  Just which ambulance, how 
good an ambulance, and most importantly, *when*, that's what gets 
changed.
     Why wouldn't they cut EMS services, if they're so 
happily cutting other medical services?    Okay, so maybe 
not so happily.  But it's all part of the package.
                                     Melissa at 15:04 on 04-21-97
 * 1st 2.00 ~ Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself. -Cicero
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