County Board Approves Ambulance Request
The White County Board met in special session Tuesday night to cover a number of items including a request from the Ambulance service concerning a 24/7 paid ambulance service.
Adam Allen, White County Ambulance Service Director spent thirty minutes explaining to the board how the 24/7 system would work and how it will help restore at least one ambulance to Advanced Life Support Status. Allen explained hiring full time paramedics would allow the local service to return to the ALS status. He said the service will probably hire six paramedics, with some working full-time while others would be on a part time basis.
Allen reported the ambulance service should be able to run another truck as a Basic Life support vehicle. He went on to explain this will save money in the long run, as the ambulance service currently is spending about $3700 a month in intercept fees. Fees which are paid to other services, who can provide ALS care. In the last several months, intercept fees have been over $12,000.
Allen answered several questions from a concerned audience, including former ambulance service director Greg Brown.
After hearing from Allen, the board agreed the ambulance service has to be saved and passed a motion to move the ambulance service to a full time paid ambulance. It was pointed out it may be Feb. 1 before the new plan is fully implemented as there will be a number of steps necessary prior to moving to the full time service.
Don Puckett, board chairman was pleased with the agreement, explaining it was a tough decision;
33sec…live here (puckett ambulance AM folder)
Don Puckett, White County board chairman.
In other business, the board approved the appointment of County Clerk Beth Sell as the IMRF agent. She was also approved to a qualifying position as county clerk and recorder; a move that basically allows Sell to conduct elections.
An insurance proposal was approved for a commercial package and cyber liability for the county insurance. It was pointed out the cost was about $3600 higher than 2017. A new tractor for the highway department and new vehicles were blamed for the higher costs.
The next county board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. The county board normally meets the second Tuesday of each month in the upstairs courtroom of the White County Courthouse, here in Carmi. The meetings are open to the public.
