Frustration remains as city leaders try to explain EMS/BRFD merger

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, La. (WAFB) - East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ plan to merge Emergency Medical Services with the Baton Rouge Fire Department is receiving mixed reaction.  

Edwards and several members of his administration held a town hall meeting with EMS and fire department staff to answer questions they may have.

City leaders admit their approach of announcing the potential union was a failure. Some employees believe it’s already a done deal despite a pause from the mayor’s office.

“Y’all have picked me up off the ground. I’m not here to screw you,” said Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Jeff LeDuff.

The mayor’s administration got candid with EMS and Baton Rouge Fire Department staff. Both sides were invited to the town hall type meeting so they could ask questions about Mayor Sid Edwards’ plan to move EMS under the fire department. WAFB was the only television station in the room where some feel they were getting the runaround.

“We need support. We do not need a merger. We want to know, why are we not being heard? We haven’t been heard for 40 years,” said Amber Munch.

The fire chief, the head of EMS, and the mayor all tried to explain that a merger would help with efficiency and lower response times. They all said no one would lose their job. The mayor tried to ease those fears.

“If I say something and it don’t happen, well then I lied. So, I’m going to do everything I can to help,” said Mayor-President Sid Edwards.

They also said the merger would help EMS staff get much needed raises and some of the same benefits firefighters receive.

“There’s a lot of good that can come from this. It’s all about solving manpower problems on the streets and recruiting a retaining better in our public safety,” said Baton Rouge Firefighter Association President Jake Morgan.

The firefighter association is on board, but the EMS Association President said some members left the meeting frustrated.

“The big question we still all want to know and we don’t really have an answer is why?” explained EMS Association President Janice Willard.

Mayor-President Edwards said he wants this merger to happen. The pause on the plan is expected to end by the next civil service board meeting at the end of the month unless the mayor gets rid of the plan altogether. If it moves forward, the metro council has the final say.

Shane Dupuy, President of East Baton Rouge Professional EMS Local 5437, released the following statement:

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