By Kelly Jackson
The Chattanooga Times Free Press
DALTON, Ga. — About 30 Whitfield Emergency Medical Services employees and supporters broke into applause after county commissioners voted unanimously Monday to keep their company — Hamilton EMS — as the county’s 911 ambulance service provider.
“We do care about each and every one of you,” said paramedic Paul Connelly. “I think you made a wise decision.”
For the past few months, officials reviewed proposals for ambulance service and narrowed the field to three choices — Hamilton EMS, Care Ambulance and Lifeguard Transportation Service Inc.
The county accepted the latest Hamilton EMS proposal of a $485,000 annual subsidy for three 24-hour and two 12-hour ambulances during peak times. In the past the county has paid more than $700,000 annually to Hamilton EMS for 911 ambulance service.
Commissioner Randy Waskul said in a phone call after the meeting that commissioners weren’t obligated to accept the lowest bid but were challenged with balancing the “level of service and cost.”
County Attorney Robert Smalley said he will begin drafting the new contract, which will go into effect after September and run through 2012.
Before the decision, Commission Chairman Mike Babb said some local companies are concerned because Hamilton Medical Center and Hamilton EMS are “not recognizing enough different insurance carriers,” and he expressed the county’s desire to see that change.
Mr. Waskul said the decision “was not an easy one” and tacked on six specific requirements to the contract, including that Hamilton EMS include Automatic Vehicle Location Global Positioning Systems in its vehicles and that Hamilton EMS cannot use emergency equipment for nonemergencies.
Whitfield County Emergency Services Director Jeffrey Putnam said Hamilton EMS will report monthly to the county. He said that, in the past, the county had issues with poor response times with the service, but Hamilton EMS will meet faster response time requirements and provide more coverage under the new contract.
Care Ambulance representatives were not available for comment after the meeting.
Brett Jovanovich, vice president and chief operating officer for Lifeguard, said he was a little surprised and disappointed by the commission’s 5-0 vote. He said Lifeguard will continue to operate nearby in Chattanooga and Dade County.
Hamilton EMS Director Rick Cobb said after the meeting he was pleased with the county’s decision and ready to move forward.
“We’re going to look at each different point that was brought up, and we will be addressing those points,” he said. “We always want to continue to improve.”
Copyright 2009 Chattanooga Publishing Company