By Molly Bloom
American-Statesman (Austin, Texas)
Copyright 2008 American-Statesman
BLANCO COUNTY, Texas — The state intends to revoke the license of the nonprofit Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corps because the head of the Blanco County emergency medical service provider is suspected of stealing narcotics from the corps, according to documents filed with the state health department this month.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has already issued an emergency suspension order for the paramedic license of Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corps Director Mark McMain, 47, one of two full-time paid corps employees. The order said the suspension came after learning that McMain, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, had “misappropriated fentanyl approximately 237 times from his employer” since October 2006.
Under state law, McMain may not staff an ambulance or act as a paramedic while his license is suspended. McMain has requested a hearing on the suspension, health department spokesman Doug McBride said.
On Feb. 15, the state health department told the corps, which provides emergency medical services to the southern half of Blanco County, that it intended to revoke the corps’ license because it failed to prevent the alleged thefts of the narcotic and failed to “take appropriate action” to prevent future drug thefts.
The ambulance corps’ board of directors has 15 days to request a hearing.
The board will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. today at its headquarters, 607 Chandler St. in Blanco, to discuss the future of the corps.
The state also intends to revoke the paramedic license of the corps’ other full-time paid paramedic, Evelyn S. Armstead, 45,. The state is accusing Armstead, who also could not be reached Tuesday, of helping McMain steal the drugs or failing to prevent the thefts, according to a notification letter. Armstead may also request a hearing on the proposal to revoke her license.
McMain and Armstead both serve on the corps’ board.
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the criminal case against McMain, state officials said. State EMS compliance manager Brett Hart said investigators don’t believe McMain was selling the drugs on the street but declined to discuss the specifics. McMain has not been charged with a crime. The Blanco County sheriff’s office is conducting a separate, criminal investigation into McMain unrelated to the state’s investigation, county officials said.
Tuesday, Jerry Myane, president of Blanco County Emergency Services District No. 2, which contracts with the Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corps, said that he hoped the corps would be able to make changes in its internal practices that would allow it to keep its license.
Dissolving the corps would be a mistake, Myane said. “As far as the service they provide, they’re excellent.”
If the corps’ license was revoked, the emergency services district would contract with another company to provide emergency medical services, Myane said.
Tim Vasquez, director of North Blanco County EMS, the emergency service provider for the northern half of the county, said his group hadn’t been formally approached about stepping in.
If the group were to take on the 400-square-mile area, it would need to hire more employees, Vasquez said.
Corps volunteer Lou Ann Mullins said Tuesday that she was “totally surprised” at the accusations against McMain. McMain was a “very good paramedic” who “knows his stuff,” she said.
“I don’t think any of the corps members had any inkling that there was anything that wasn’t above board,” she said of the accusations. “I would appreciate the opportunity to work with my fellow members to maintain the service for the community.”