Jim Garner, EMS Director, gave his February report to the Commissioners during the March 17 meeting. The first thing he touched on was the conditions of the department ambulances.
He stated that three of the six ambulances were meant for ALS level when staffing permits it. “Which it permits well right this second,” he said.
One ambulance is out of service due to it being sent in for cosmetic body work from a minor parking lot collision in February.
The Knox base was 51 percent staffing last month and was two ALS ambulances. “That’s an increase of 11 percent. ALS ambulance is now 100 percent is minimum staffing. One paramedic in Knox base. Continue to operate the ALS non-transports on a 24-hour basis.”
In February the department did 41 total transfers out of 292 calls.
“This I’m proud to say, we have no full-time openings for EMTs. We are one applicant away from having a full staff of paramedics. I also have two new part-time paramedics that have started and been through the system and cleared,” he said.
As far as training, in February the department trained on pediatric car seat installation and usage, as well as PAL straps with the proper lifting techniques. “These PAL straps are phenomenal. One person can pick up a patient from a down-seated position without straining their back. Basically, all it is, somebody came up with a recovery strap, towing recovery strap, and designed it to work for EMS.”
The last accident was on Jan. 16 with no injuries.
As far as ambulance maintenance, Medic 1 is up to date. Medic 2 recently returned from TNT, having been sidelined for brakes. Medic 3 is currently in the body shop for minor repair of the left rear. 514 was at the Grovertown base acting as Medic 5. The new transfer truck is currently in service. The old 84 is at the Highway Department and is waiting on rechassis bids. The unit had been wrecked last year. Garner provided the commissioners with two bids for them to look over for next month.
The cost of rechassis will mainly be from the insurance, but also from Marshall County. “We did get our deductible back because it was proven that because Marshall County was at fault. So, that $1,000 deductible came back to us and no matter what it was still a hit,” said Garner.
Garner stated the new ambulance that his department was recently approved to purchase cost $252,000 and will arrive around the end of this year. The quotes that the department received from Donnelly was $201,529 for an in stock 2024 E450. “For McQueen it was $166,000. Written in specs much better rehab process. That $166,000 is for a 2027 E450. We have to wait for a chassis, and they say a year and a half. And we have to give them the old chassis which we bought back from the insurance company for $1,000.”
VanDeMark asked Garner if he knew what the difference would be after the insurance claim between the $166,000.
“We got $89,000 from the insurance company for that,” replied Garner.
There were three bids that had been sent out, but only two were returned. Commissioner Mike VanDeMark asked why Garner wanted to wait until next month to move forward with approving one of the bids. Garner replied that he wanted to wait and see if the third bid would come in.
