Phillipsburg Ambulance reports billing agreement with Soulstone, training endorsements for EMTs and interest in grant funds for second unit

Robert Lougheron, chief and president of the Phillipsburg Ambulance Association, briefed the commissioners July 15 on operations and staffing.

Lougheron said the ambulance service signed a HIPAA agreement and a billing agreement with Soulstone; the service expects to begin billing through Soulstone after the provider completes system setup. He said four of the service’s EMTs are pursuing endorsements that permit limited advanced interventions (IVs, certain medication administration and advanced airways) without taking a full advanced EMT course; the endorsements are intended to expand capabilities using existing volunteer/part-time staff.

The service reported steady call volume in recent months — including motorcycle accidents and cardiac events — and provided standby coverage for a recent bike race. Lougheron said the service has an inspection scheduled for September and is preparing equipment for that review. He also described a longer-term interest in applying for grant funding to acquire another ambulance or updated equipment to handle growing call volume.

Why it matters: Local ambulance capacity affects emergency response time in rural Granite County. The billing agreement with Soulstone is intended to professionalize revenue capture for runs and improve sustainability for a largely volunteer service.

Next steps: Ambulance leadership will proceed with the Soulstone billing process, continue EMT endorsement training, and staff intends to bring potential grant requests to the commission when appropriate.