Following a fine of more than $500,000 from Multnomah County due to slow 911 response times, American Medical Response told KOIN 6 on Tuesday they intend to appeal. Leaders at AMR have criticized the county’s hefty penalty, calling it unproductive.

“It doesn’t do anything to solve the response time problems and the paramedic shortage. It won’t produce more paramedics,” said Randy Lauer, the VP of operations at AMR Northwest.

Due to a nationwide paramedic shortage, AMR said they’re currently short 55 paramedics in Multnomah County. However, there are unique aspects to Multnomah County that could be making the situation worse.