Discussion Assignment
Answer Discussion Question 1, page 36 at the end of the case.
Before any proposed changes are made in the City of Trillium’s Fire and EMS services:
What organization is the current provider of (1) fire and (2) EMS services?
What organization is the current producer of (1) fire and (2) EMS services?
The case indicates that several possible options are on the table for changing Fire and EMS services in Trillium.
What alternative fire service production alternatives are discussed?
What alternative EMS production alternatives are discussed?
Do you think a healthy service “market” of alternative producers exists for Trillium? Why or why not?
In our reading by Whittaker, a set of considerations are listed on page 377 (see Deciding when to use which alternative) as a guide for when to use which alternative. Briefly discuss each of the four considerations with respect to fire and EMS options for Trillium (there are five but we already discussed the first one “what potential producers are available?” in question 3, above). Where appropriate discuss Fire and EMS services separately.
Little is discussed in the case about how the Fire and EMS services are financed or will be under the potential alternatives. From what is available, describe how the financing of these services coincides with the principle of Fiscal Equivalence?
Answer Discussion question 6 on page 37 at the end of the case .
Answer Discussion question 7 on page 37 at the end of the case .
Brown et. al., in this week’s readings, discuss three stages of service contracting arrangements. At the end of the Fire File case –at what stage is this potential contracting opportunity? Explain.
