Committee advances two-year mutual-aid EMS agreement for White House area amid response-time concerns

The Health & Emergency Services Committee reviewed a two-year renewal of the mutual-aid emergency medical services agreement that covers the White House area and other portions of Sumner County. Commissioners said the review was intended as a checkpoint to confirm the agreement is working and to address local concerns about extended ambulance response times.

Commissioner Wynne said he had "witnessed multiple occasions where there was exhibited, response times for ambulances exceeding 20 minutes," and asked the committee to examine options, including whether an additional ambulance unit should be placed near White House to reduce delays. Several commissioners agreed the agreement should be forwarded to the Legislative Committee for review with a directive to solicit agency feedback and to report back on possible changes.

Committee members voted to forward the two-year renewal and review of the mutual-aid EMS resolution to the Legislative Committee while keeping the current agreement in force to avoid a lapse in coverage. The committee also requested the agencies that operate ambulances in the affected area to re-examine response coverage and return with recommendations at a future meeting.

Background: the existing resolution requires review at least every two years to ensure appropriate emergency medical response. Committee members asked staff to place the item on next month’s agenda for further discussion and to explore whether adding another unit near White House is feasible.