N.C. county moves to keep FirstHealth as EMS provider

By Nancy McCleary
The Sanford Herald, N.C.

LEE COUNTY, N.C. — The Lee County commissioners voted Monday to negotiate with FirstHealth for the EMS franchise to provide ambulance service for residents.

The decision comes after talks between the county and MedEx Inc., who originally was chosen, fell through and no contract was signed.

| EARLIER: N.C. county moves to award EMS franchise to MedEx over FirstHealth

On May 18, the commissioners plan to hold a first reading of the franchise ordinance to award EMS services to FirstHealth, which has been the provider since 2021.

FirstHealth and MedEx Inc. were the only agencies vying for the five-year county contract. The board opted in January to go with MedEx Inc. after its representatives said the county would save $12 million.

The negotiations broke off in April, and the current contract with FirstHealth is to end on June 30, the last day of the fiscal year.

FirstHealth was contacted to see if there was still interest in providing EMS services, according to Whitney Parrish, the county’s legal counsel.

“FirstHealth has indicated a willingness to do so, even though, I believe, it’s almost 80% of their workforce expect to transition out of Lee County beginning July 1,” Parrish said. “Therefore, they are asking an additional $347,459 to help offset those costs.”

Commissioner Samantha Martin suggested a one-year contract with FirstHealth.

A single-year contract was among the options presented to the commissioners in December to allow more time before awarding the franchise, Parrish said.

“I believe the answer is that they would like to just do the five-year (contract). I don’t know that we would get a one-year agreement, and we have to have something in place,” she said.

The county inquired about a single-year contract, but FirstHealth rejected the suggestion, Parrish said.

Two readings of the franchise ordinance and a public hearing are required, and the commissioners have three scheduled meetings before June 30.

“We don’t have time on our side at this point,” Commissioner Robert Reives said.

Martin pushed to negotiate a one-year contract, but time is running out, Parrish responded.

“Enough is enough,” Commissioner Robert Reives said.

The board unanimously voted to move ahead with FirstHealth.

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