Board acknowledges EMCC recommendation to extend American Legion ambulance agreement for five years

Amador County’s Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC) recommended a five‑year extension of the ambulance service agreement between American Legion Post 108 (American Legion Ambulance) and Mountain Valley Emergency Medical Services. The board reviewed the EMCC’s action on Jan. 28, heard remarks from American Legion Ambulance president Alan McNaney and Mountain Valley EMS representative Thomas Morton, and agreed by direction to the county‑level members of the JPA to proceed with consideration of the extension.

County staff explained the proposed extension does not change contract terms; it simply extends the current agreement for five more years. Alan McNaney, president of American Legion Ambulance, described operational and financial pressures: he said his organization lost about $650,000 over the past two years and that government payers (Medicaid/Medi‑Cal and Medicare) have not kept pace with rising operating costs. McNaney stated his own salary as $220,000 per year when asked by a supervisor; he also described measures the ambulance provider used to retain staff, including sign‑on bonuses and paying above typical union wages.

Thomas Morton, representing Mountain Valley EMS, praised American Legion Ambulance’s proactive retention and hiring efforts and noted statewide workforce and training pipeline challenges for paramedics. Board members asked clarifying questions about staffing, compensation, and the county’s role.

Because the county is not a direct party to the ambulance agreement, the board did not formally approve a contract extension at the meeting; instead, the board provided direction to its EMCC/JPA representatives to support moving the extension forward through the appropriate JPA/EMCC processes.

Next steps: EMCC/JPA members will continue their internal approvals; county staff indicated the item will return for any county‑level approvals needed after JPA action.