Starting July 1, Spokane County Fire District 9 will begin running its own ambulance service — and residents won’t get a bill. The district, which covers Fairwood, Glenden, Midway, Wandermere, Arrowhead Point, and Brentwood, is ending its contract with American Medical Response after AMR doubled its rates last year.
Fire Chief Matthew Vinci said the new service will be funded through insurance reimbursements and existing levy funds, making it no cost for district residents. Nonresidents who use the service will pay a rate expected to be less than half of AMR’s current charges. The district has purchased three new ambulances and plans to hire 15 new employees to support the program…