| The Calhoun Commission, after several months of deliberation, voted unanimously Tuesday to insure ambulance service for county citizens by shifting the service to Minnie Hamilton Health System.
A scathing audit by the state's EMS Technical Support Network says that Calhoun Emergency Ambulance Service has a large debt load, creditors wanting to be paid for services, ambulances not working and needing replaced, with the revelation of critical management problems for several years.
EMS auditor March Tucker told the commission that it was unlikely that Calhoun EMS could be salvaged.
The commission moved to give MHHS remaining emergency levy funds through June, 2014, to be used to purchase new ambulances and to direct Calhoun 911, effective May 16, to discontinue using Calhoun EMS as a provider.
The commission voted to accept the written proposal presented by MHHS.
The commission has been attempting to obtain financial records from Calhoun EMS since 2010, with the director, during a meeting, indicating to that the agency was not responsible to the commission or county taxpayers.
Current EMS Director Danny May told commissioners Tuesday he would work with the county and MHHS though the transition, while having the current EMS board and management work on the liquidation of assets to pay debts.
In a press release, commissioners said, "The Calhoun County Commission desires a rapid, smooth transition from the current Calhoun County EMS to Minnie Hamilton Health System to avoid the possibility of a tragedy due to failure of equipment."
The commission will be sending a letter to Calhoun EMS, recognizing the long-time service of medics, EMTs and personnel for their dutiful performance over many years.
The commission issued a press release regarding reasons for the decision:
See CALHOUN COMMISSION WILL DECIDE ON FUTURE OF AMBULANCE SERVICE - Calhoun EMS/Minnie Hamilton Health System Issue Proposals
And CALHOUN COMMISSION MAKES DECISION REGARDING FUTURE OF AMBULANCE SERVICE
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