New transport service in the works for Baker County

New transport service in the works for Baker County

By MELISSA BURNSED

Baker County District 3 Commissioner Gordon Crews has been working to fulfill one of his campaign promises since he took office. The first term commissioner had pledged to pursue adding an ambulance transport service for county residents, as both a revenue producing operation and as a means to eliminating lengthy waits for patients needing emergency transit from 

Ambulance transport service vehicle

Ed Fraser Hospital.

The board of county commissioners will vote on a memorandum of understanding with the local hospital to implement the new service at their meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Crews, who is a registered nurse, believes that the service is needed to augment the current system that relies on private services like Liberty and Century, to ferry patients to other hospitals and treatment facilities in Jacksonville, Lake City and Gainesville.

"The two main reasons this is important for Baker County are a quicker response for emergency patients getting to higher level of care facilities and second it will provide a third rescue unit to the county without any additional expense to taxpayers," said Crews.

Baker County has already obtained a new ambulance to be used as the transport vehicle. The purchase was funded by a state matching grant, written by Emergency Services Director David Richardson who also served as chief negotiator for the pending agreement.

"We still have a few minor details to be ironed out, but if they are resolved and the commissioners approve the deal our goal is to start the service by mid-month," he said.

While the agreement with the hospital doesn’t stipulate that Bakers unit will be given preference over the private services, Richardson is confident that the unit will be the most requested because of the units quick response ability.

"Some waits in the past have been as long as an hour. Our service will provide a more prompt response for emergency patients as well as nursing home residents who require transport to other facilities."

Richardson has compiled detailed calculations and costs for the service and potential revenue from estimated transports. Initially the transport will be staffed seven days a week, with crews working 12 hour shifts. Applications for the slots are already being taken. Negotiations with the EMS union call for compatible salaries and benefits for the new county personnel.

"At the lowest base rate of $300 and a $9 mile charge, one call per day would equal $240,900 yearly revenue, at a cost of $237,330.80," wrote Richardson in his paperwork presentation to commissioners. "That means we will be able to do this without costing local taxpayers for the enhanced service," he said.

The new ambulance will serve a dual purpose, as a backup coverage unit for 911 dispatches when the county’s two primary EMS units are committed to other calls.

"This means an added benefit because previously emergency transport for critical patients, who couldn’t be flown or wait around for a private ambulance ride, meant that the county was left with only limited coverage. The situation could be critical if we received more than one call for emergency services at the same time," said Richardson.

The new ambulance will be based at Ed Fraser Hospital and according to the agreement the hospital will provide a covered shelter for the transport unit and quarters for the crew, resulting in additional savings to the county.

"It’s a good arrangement for both the county and the hospital. Our residents benefit from the services and the hospital is able to insure rapid transport of patients which could ultimately save lives," said Gordon.