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Local EMS leaders ask supervisors to explore ordinance requiring in‑county ambulances for interfacility transfers
Summary
Rescue squad and ambulance service representatives urged the board to consider an ordinance giving preferential status to licensed in‑county ambulance providers for interfacility transports to keep revenue and capacity local; supervisors directed staff to meet with the providers to explore options.
Representatives of county emergency medical services asked the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors to explore an ordinance that would give preference to in‑county ambulance agencies for interfacility patient transfers, saying out‑of‑county providers routinely receive those calls and the practice drains local resources and revenue.
Albert McPeek, a resident of the Willis District and a member of the Clintwood Rescue Squad who identified himself as acting general manager of Dickinson County Ambulance Service, said county EMS agencies have regularly competed with out‑of‑county providers for transfers that generate revenue. "We're all in the same boat. We're all in need of that revenue," McPeek said. Elizabeth McNutt, who identified herself as owner of Dickinson County Ambulance Service, told the board that a Buchanan County ordinance gives permitted in‑county agencies priority and suggested Dickenson County consider a similar approach to keep patient transports local.
Board members asked questions about hospital protocol for placing transfer calls and whether patient preference is documented; speakers said hospitals often call the service they know or prefer and noted that patient choice is typically recorded on intake forms but may not always be solicited in the emergency room. The public speakers asked the board to consider a local ordinance or resolution to require county medical facilities to call permitted in‑county providers first for interfacility transfers.
Jeremy (last name not provided), identified as a rescue squad captain on the phone, said local squads had missed a state EPCR (electronic patient care reporting) grant deadline and requested county help with an upfront vendor fee of $2,735.20 so squads would not face service interruption when a July 1 requirement takes effect. Other attendees described recent grant applications for vehicles and equipment and the logistical difficulty of preparing applications while running calls.
Supervisors did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting. Instead, the board asked "Will" and Larry Barton (county staff) to meet with EMS representatives and explore possible ordinance language or other mechanisms; staff were directed to report back to the board. The discussion was recorded as a public‑comment agenda item and the matter was referred for staff follow‑up rather than formal board action.
No formal vote was taken on an ordinance at this meeting.
