(Shelby Co) The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in special session on Tuesday to hold the first of three public hearing required in the process to place the County funded EMS on the ballots this fall. The private ambulance service has notified county officials it will be stopping service in the upcoming years.
According to the meeting minutes, the Supervisors heard comments from Shelby County EMA Coordinator Alex Londo who thanked all of those who were involved in the last year and a half of preparation and planning for the countywide emergency medical services to be put in place by voters. The current private provider is retiring and 24/7 staffed services will be provided countywide if all prerequisite proceedings are accomplished and a vote on a public measure passing with over 60% approval following. Local volunteer EMS services will also be funded by the proposed ballot measure. Londo mentioned many relevant documents are and others will be available on the Shelby County Website.
Tim Plumb of the Irwin Volunteer EMS and EMS Advisory Council said that years ago they had 18 trained volunteers, that number has dropped to four in that organization. Working outside of town and training requirements were mentioned as a few reasons for the drop in volunteers. Plumb mentioned that this is not just a local, but a nationwide problem in rural areas. Plumb said Cooperation with neighboring counties is important and does happen with the rural volunteer organizations.
Larry Madson, a Trustee for Monroe Township, had questions about one county having Countywide EMS and one County not providing the service and how would these situations be solved. Those present said cooperation between volunteer organizations is and has been happening for years, it was implied that the same cooperation would happen with a countywide EMS service.
The Supervisors passed the first reading of a resolution declaring Emergency Medical Service an Essential Service in Shelby County and Setting Forth a Funding Mechanism for Such Services. A copy of that resolution can be found here: Shelby County EMS Resolution
