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Your Call

Your Call: What are the dangers of privatizing 911?

Since the 2008 financial crisis, private equity firms have taken over public services like ambulance services and emergency health care. So what happens when you call 911? Depending on where you are, different agencies could show up at different times.

According to a New York Times investigation, under private equity ownership, ambulance response times have worsened and heart monitors have failed. How are government officials responding and what can concerned citizens do? Join the conversation on the next Your Call, with Rose Aguilar, and you.

Guests:

Brian Krans, independent reporter who has covered the privatization of emergency services for the East Bay Express

Ziva Branstetter, senior editor for Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting and former reporter for Tulsa World where she covered for-profit ambulance services

Michael Blair, political director for the Alameda County Firefighters Association Local 55 and Captain of the Alameda County Fire Department in Emeryville

Web Resources:

East Bay Express: Who Will Be There When You Call 911? Our Writer Plunges Into the World of For-Profit Ambulances

Tulsa World: EMSA helps its paramedic provider avoid taxes, investigation shows

 

Tulsa World: Ziva Branstetter's reporting on EMSA

 

NY Times: When You Dial 911 and Wall Street Answers

CA Legislature Info: AB-263 Emergency medical services workers: rights and working conditions (2017-2018)

UC Berkeley Labor Center: Emergency Medical Services in California: Wages, Working Conditions, and Industry Profile

The Mercury News: Alameda County supes to vote on controversial ambulance contract

The Patch: Supes Approve Contract Extension For 911 Ambulance Provider For Alameda Co.

KALW: The Race To An Emergency

 

Rose Aguilar has been the host of Your Call since 2006. She became a regular media roundtable guest in 2001. In 2019, the San Francisco Press Club named Your Call the best public affairs program. In 2017, The Nation named it the most valuable local radio show.