LAWRENCE COUNTY - NOVEMBER 22, 2022 - Lawrence County Commissioners met in executive session in regard to the contract with IU Lifeline Ambulance Service Tuesday morning.
File photo
Lawrence County Commissioners President Rodney Fish, Wally Branham and Dustin Gabhart met with Bedford Mayor Sam Craig, Mitchell Mayor Nathan Jenkins, Lawrence County President Scott Smith, and other officials.
There was no public notification of this morning's executive meeting.
The details to the public about the ambulance contract have not been disclosed to the public as contract negations continue. However, Lawrence County EMA Director Valarie Luchaeur said the ambulance contract should be able to be voted on by the next commissioner's meeting.
According to Luchuaer, the parties have been working through some of the contentions of the contract., but things have been going quite well.
" Neogations are going well, and hopefully we will have something to present for our legal counsel to review and be able to present the contract at the next commissioners meeting,"
The Lawrence County 911 Board approved IU Lifeline proposal of providing One ALS (Advanced Life Support) Ambulance, Two (Basic Life Support Ambulances) and one (ALS) Squad for $400,000 for one year contract.
The public concerns over ambulance coverage have increased with the closure of St. Vincent Dunn Hospital, Seals Ambulance Service announced plans to discontinue ambulance coverage by December 16, 2022.
Over the last four years, both IU Lifeline and Seals Ambulance Service have contracted with their respective hospitals for inter-facility transfers to out of county facilities.
However, there were no contractual agreements to provide ambulance coverage to Lawrence County for 911 ambulance services. At the time, both the Lawrence County 911 Board required a 911 contract for ambulance service, however required all volunteer fire services to have a fire contract to provide fire protection to be included into the 911 system.
The response times for emergency calls within Lawrence County have been over 45 minutes on several occasions throughout this year. An accident on Brown Station Road several weeks ago had an air ambulance arriving before a ground ambulance at the scene.
Within the City of Bedford ambulance coverage was a concern as mayoral candidate Mike Hawkins addressed the issue of the City of Bedford need in looking for the city to start its own ambulance service. Hawkins stated he looked at Rushville's response to address ambulance coverage that is now generating revenue for the City of Rushville.
In addition, Shawswick Township will be providing Basic Life Support Coverage for its township starting on January 1, 2022. At this time, it is not clear on how the new, 911 ambulance contract will affect the new ambulance service in Shawswick Township.
Lawrence County Zephyr will update with developments in this story.
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