County EMS to assist Chatham Fair after rescue squad requests; officials flag rescue squad funding issues
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Summary
The committee authorized CCEMS to contract with the County Agricultural Society to assist the Chatham Rescue Squad during the fair; members also discussed rescue squad billing arrangements and rising financial pressures on local rescue services.
Columbia County committee members approved a contract authorizing County EMS (CCEMS) to assist the Chatham Rescue Squad with medical coverage at this year’s Chatham Fair.
Staff said Chatham Rescue requested assistance because the event has grown and exceeded a single agency’s capacity. The county has been coordinating with fair organizers (represented in discussion by Terry Barnes) and the rescue squad to determine minimum state requirements for event medical coverage. Staff said the fair and five contributing towns have been paying for prior fair coverage and that the county is updating billing cycles to correct past timing issues.
Committee members and staff also discussed broader financial pressures on local rescue squads. Staff reported they had presented financial conditions for the county’s rescue squads in the prior month and said neighboring Greene County faces similar challenges. A county stress‑team debriefing of recent emergency responses was described as well received and intended to help prevent PTSD among emergency personnel.
The motion to enter the CCEMS‑Chatham Fair agreement passed by voice vote; the transcript records “Aye” but does not include a roll‑call tally or the contract dollar amount.
