| By Bob Weaver
Calhoun's Emergency Medical Services is "a house of cards," related to its' financial future, according to Calhoun commissioner Kevin Helmick, who also serves on the ambulance board.
Helmick expressed concern regarding the financial operation of the county ambulance service at Monday's commission meeting.
He said EMS's credit for gasoline has been cut off for the ambulances.
"They don't have enough money in the bank to meet payroll," Helmick told commissioners, and are looking at getting a $25,000 line of credit to meet current expenses.
The Calhoun Commission held a special meeting with the EMS board last fall, expressing concern that an audit showed the agency $40,000 in the red.
Part-time EMS Director Josh Johnson said his auditor had explained that the audit number did not indicate a significant problem.
The commission disagreed, saying the audit deficit was a red flag.
Commissioners also recalled during that meeting an EMS accountability problem of more than $50,000 for unpaid taxes. The problem was not reflected in audits received by the commission.
Calhoun EMS is reportedly still paying off that administrative mistake.
See related story COMMISSION RAISES CONCERN OVER FINANCIAL HEALTH OF COUNTY EMS
The financial problems have apparently been ongoing, with the squad long relying on taxpayer levy money which has not been increased for years, in addition to problems collecting for runs.
The agencies EMTs and Medics are among the lowest paid in West Virginia and have no benefits.
Helmick said the number of calls answered by the squad decreased last year by 100.
Helmick said there is a problem with scheduling board meetings, and meetings being set and canceled.
The ambulance service has contended that board meetings are not subject to WV's public meeting laws, and are not announced publicly.
A recently scheduled meeting was apparently canceled by Director Johnson, who works in Kanawha County. Patty Wilmoth, board president, reportedly showed up for the meeting, unaware it was canceled.
Johnson declined to comment for this article regarding his agencies problems.
The Calhoun Commission is responsible to see that ambulance service is provided to citizens, and appoints board members to the agency.
PROBLEMS OTHER THAN MONEY PLAGUE EMS
Calhoun County completed E-911 Addressing And Mapping ahead of most WV counties, despite the State of West Virginia's problems getting the projects off the ground with ill-fated attempts.
Former 911 Director Gary Buchanan was recognized by state officials for his timely and persevering work on the Calhoun project.
Taxpayers have provided the funding for the important project, which benefits every citizen, providing quick and accurate directions for police, fire and ambulance services to respond to an address or scene.
Calhoun EMS, for whatever reason, has been slow to get on board using Addressing and Mapping books, which were issued by Calhoun 911 to all responders in 2010.
In past months they have not had the books in their ambulances and have reportedly denied outside training to utilize them.
At times, ambulance personnel appear oblivious about addressing and mapping locations, going in the wrong direction or taking an off-course route of six or seven miles to reach a car wreck.
The problem has been the subject of many complaints and blaming.
Calhoun 911/OES Director Kathy Wood declined to comment on the problem.
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