| By Bob Weaver
Calhoun voters will be ask to renew the ambulance and emergency services levy in May, this time the renewal is critical to have a 24-hour staffed ambulance in the county, after a contract provider withdrew and Minnie Hamilton Health System said they could no longer afford to provide the service.
The Calhoun Commission obtained loan funds from Calhoun Banks and Minnie Hamilton agreed to provide the service temporarily.
Julie Sears,
Calhoun Co. E911/OES Director, who is assisting in forming a new ambulance authority said, "We are still in the process of doing the necessary paperwork for licensure from the State OEMS Office."
"It is a rather lengthy process, but we are getting closer to filing every day. The official name of the organization is Calhoun EMS, Inc.," Sears said.
Board members are Ron Blankenship, Bruce Fitzwater, Michael Hicks, Gary Knight, and Sears, who is the acting Director, until the licensure process is completed.
Sears said she is hopeful the service will be up and running soon, having recently signed Dr. Jason Fincham as Medical Director.
The estimated amount of providing a ambulance and crew 24/7 will be about $195,000, and will mean just a few dollars increase in the cost to citizens.
With only one emergency ambulance serving the county, additional services are expected to be provided through mutual aid agreements from neighboring counties.
Sears said, "We are planning an Emergency Services day on April 7 at noon at Arnoldsburg Community Park for a meet and greet of all First Responders in the County. It will also serve as a town hall type meeting for us to discuss and answer any questions about the upcoming levy."
READ DETAILS ABOUT LEVY:
COMMISSION APPROVES NEW LEVY TO SUPPORT COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE - Separate Levy For Full Time Prosecutor, How Much Will It Cost You?
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