Commissioners award bid to Pillar EMS Academy for local EMT training course

In the heart of Burke County's government meeting, the air buzzed with anticipation as commissioners gathered to address pressing community needs. Among the key discussions was the awarding of a bid for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, a vital step towards enhancing local emergency services.

Last week, bids were opened for an EMT and Advanced EMT course, aimed at providing instruction locally rather than sending trainees to Augusta Tech. The sole bid received was from Hiller EMS Academy, with costs set at $15,000 for the EMT course and $18,000 for the Advanced EMT course. Chief of Emergency Services highlighted that these figures were based on a class size of 15 students, but realistically, they expect only 12 participants. This adjustment would lower the per-student cost to approximately $1,000 for EMT training and $1,200 for Advanced EMT training.

The Chief emphasized the financial advantages of choosing Hiller EMS Academy, noting that their all-inclusive pricing covers books and fees, contrasting sharply with the nearly $7,000 invoice received from Augusta Tech for just four students, which included additional costs for books and parking. The proposal also included three days of instruction per week, with the instructor coming directly to the Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

With a motion from Commissioner Nicks and a second from Commissioner Lively, the board unanimously approved the bid for Hiller EMS Academy, marking a significant investment in local emergency training.

The meeting continued with discussions on another pressing issue: the construction of site office buildings for bulk waste collection. Commissioners reviewed a bid from Oakland Structures, which proposed a cost of $16,900 per unit for two buildings, totaling $33,800. This bid was seen as a timely solution to expedite the establishment of necessary facilities at the Sardis and Midville sites. Commissioner Bridal made a motion to accept the bid, emphasizing the need to move forward without further delays, which was seconded by Commissioner Lively and passed unanimously.

As the meeting wrapped up, the decisions made reflected a commitment to improving community services and infrastructure, ensuring that Burke County is better equipped to meet the needs of its residents.