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Ambulance service for county raising a lot of questions
Burke Williams is chairman of the WCAB and the other two members are Willie Dixon and Joe Palmer. Representing Life-Line were owner, Jonah Thomas and Morris Allday. Also present at the meeting were Chad Singleton of McIntosh Rescue Squad, Probate Judge Charles Singleton and Ed Turner, WCAB attorney. Williams gave the financial report and stated that the WCAB has a balance of $173,773.00. The only old business was that of repairing a broken window in the ambulance building. Chairman Williams also reported that Florence Shultz, director of school nurses, has requested that the WCAB provide an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for each of the county's eight schools. Shultz reported that there is a total of 55 students and teachers in the county with heart conditions. The North Oak Grove Fire Department had also asked for an AED. The motion was made and passed to provide AEDs to each of the county schools and one to North Oak Grove Fire Department. The main item for this meeting was the provision of ambulance service for Washington County. Jonah Thomas stated that he thought two trucks (ambulances) would cover Washington County: one in Chatom and one in McIntosh. He said that his company was trying to do away with trucks at Wagarville. Joe Palmer stated that presently under the JETS contract, there are two ambulances here (Chatom), one staffed and a callin crew for the second truck. Chad Singleton asked, "Why are y'all discussing putting a truck in McIntosh when they have an ambulance there?" Singleton went on to say that the McIntosh Rescue Squad has been considering coverage for Washington County and may approach the county for funding and ask the WCAB for an increase in funds. Williams answered, "We have an immediate need. My goal is to have the entire county under contract. This may not be what McIntosh Rescue Squad wants, but this board's purpose is to provide ambulance services for the county." The cost of contracting with Life-Line would be $16,750 per month or $201,000.00 per year. Probate Judge Charles Singleton had come into the meeting and he brought up the possibility that the ambulance contract might fall under the state bid law. Chad Singleton asked Chairman Williams who at the state told him that an ambulance is needed at McIntosh? Williams said he spoke to several people at the state level. Singleton responded that no one at the state level "has ever alluded to us that we are not providing service to our area." Williams answered that he did not want to get into a "who-saidwhat.". Joe Palmer emphasized that his concern is that the entire county be covered. "Everyone pays the same $10 tag fee, so all are entitled to the same prompt ambulance service." Charles Singleton told the board that both Millry and Epworth fire houses have first responder trucks with trained local personnel. He said that often the first responders are at a scene and have a patient packaged before the ambulance arrives; they transfer the patient to the ambulance. Thomas said that his company will make quarterly responsetime reports. He told the board that Life-Line will provide CPR and AED training classes for fire departments and first responders. "We want to be a part of the community and help any way we can." Williams said that he had asked Thomas to take into consideration the use of the Chatom ambulance building. Willie Dixon asked Chad Singleton if McIntosh Rescue could offer a proposal for countywide service. Singleton replied, "It's probably too much for McIntosh to cover the whole county; but we may have to rethink since you (WCAB) are basically going to replace us. Our committee has met and we were going to approach the board for more money. This board has continued to cut McIntosh Rescue Squad and that has caused degraded morale. What I am hearing here is cease support of McIntosh Rescue Squad." Williams said that the board would have to look at a quarterly or six months basis and then make their contribution to McIntosh Rescue Squad at that time. Palmer said that at the end of the year, the board can look and see if they can make a contribution. Chad Singleton said, "I don't know why this board has turned against McIntosh Rescue Squad. You say you can't support McIntosh Rescue Squad, yet you have $173,773.00 in the bank and you voted to supply several AEDs. McIntosh Rescue Squad has been in existence for 28 years. If your intention is to cut us off, then McIntosh Rescue Squad will cease to exist. My heart is in McIntosh Rescue Squad where I volunteer. You, as a board are doing away with McIntosh Rescue Squad." Singleton also reminded the board that McIntosh Rescue Squad has at times had to provide service for the whole county when all JETS trucks were called out. Joe Palmer explained that he thought it good fiscal policy not to spend everything that comes in. Williams read from documents stating that last year, the WCAB paid JETS $95,000 to cover three-fourths of the county and McIntosh Rescue Squad $49,000 to cover the other onefourth. And he questioned whether McIntosh Rescue Squad is in "state compliance." Judge Singleton, who had to leave early for another appointment, said "Y'all are the board, but I get the phone calls. If you don't have to bid this contract, I want something in writing. I hate to see us kill McIntosh Rescue Squad. I was a part of it 21 years ago. Olin has put a lot of money into McIntosh Rescue Squad. I don't know what has caused the animosity between this board and McIntosh Rescue Squad. My only thing is what's best for Washington County and keeping everything aboveboard and within the law." Williams asked Thomas what kind of time frame he was looking at for having a contract? Thomas said he could possibly have an answer by Monday. Palmer asked, "Can we be assured that there will not be a lapse between you and JETS?" Thomas said that the contract will roll over immediately after inspection. The question of continued funding for 911 came up. The WCAB has been giving $10,000 annually to the 911 service. Palmer suggested that the 911 service provide WCAB with a list of needs rather than just handing over $10,000. When asked by a board member if he knew how much McIntosh Rescue Squad owed on their ambulance, Chad Singleton replied that he didn't know. Palmer asked him if he could find out. Singleton continued, "Every move you make is working to kill a service that has been here 28 years. If you (WCAB) had problems with McIntosh Rescue Squad, why didn't you come to us? Nobody has come to McIntosh Rescue Squad." Williams said, "We know that you (McIntosh Rescue Squad) have provided a service. We just have to do a better job." Thomas said, "Our goal has not been to take over the area. Our goal is to try to resolve issues brought up by the state. We don't want any hard feelings." Dixon asked Thomas what about the present local ambulance service employees. Thomas assured him that Life- Line would need them all and possibly more. The board voted to enter into a one-year contract with Life-Line when both attorneys approve, and at the end of the year do an evaluation of service. Ed Turner said that he would look into the state competitive bid law and offer an opinion on that. The board also agreed to continue paying McIntosh Rescue Squad $3,000 per month for November and December of this year, and to pay up to $30,000 on their ambulance debt. They will also decide every six months any further contribution to McIntosh Rescue Squad. Chad Singleton said that the McIntosh Rescue Board's Executive Board will meet soon and give WCAB their response to today's developments.
Contacted later, McIntosh Rescue Squad Chief Candy Davidson said, "I feel like the ambulance board and the service (Life-Line) are misinformed. I will be in several meetings in the next few days. I would like the people of McIntosh to know that McIntosh Rescue Squad is coming up on 29-plus years of service to this area. We are not going anywhere. And for the people in the outer reaches of Washington County; I'd like to know how they feel about another ambulance being put in McIntosh, which will make two; and only one in Chatom to service the rest of the whole county?"
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