Ashe County paramedics raise safety and job-security concerns after proposed AshMedix deal draws scrutiny

Dozens of Ashe County paramedics urged the Board of Commissioners on May 19 to intervene after employees said they were discouraged from attending the meeting and alarmed by news of talks about a possible change in the private provider that holds the county’s EMS contract.

The most detailed public comments came from paramedics Ryan Kissel and Cody Darnell. Kissel, who described himself as a long‑time paramedic in the High Country, said staff had been “discouraged from coming here to speak” and from presenting in uniform. He said the jacket he wore represented his service and his belief in free speech.

Darnell, who identified himself as an Ashe County native and a paramedic of about 10 years, said employees learned through an internal messaging app that AshMedix had entered discussions with a company called Priority On Demand. He said employees were given roughly a 30‑minute briefing and that Priority’s representatives were remote. Darnell said the proposed June 1 transition would have changed several benefits, including medical insurance, removal of a 401(k) match, loss of Aflac, and reduced paid time off. After calling Priority’s stated insurer, Darnell said he discovered his medication would have been placed on a noncovered tier under the Priority plan and that, for him, coverage questions were unresolved. He told commissioners he would be forced to leave his job if his medication were not covered.

Following public comment, Craig Sullivan, who has been referenced in the meeting materials as the owner of the Medics company under discussion, addressed the board. Sullivan said there is currently no deal and that talks “fell off the table.” He said his intent was to explore options to “streamline some back office operations” and that he intended to speak with the board before communicating to employees; he apologized for missteps in communication and for the way the matter had been reported and discussed publicly.

Commissioners responded to the comments with expressions of support for EMS staff. At least one commissioner thanked AshMedix staff for their service and said the board heard the concerns raised during public comment. No formal board action related to the contract or benefit changes was taken at the meeting; commissioners directed that conversations about company proposals proceed with transparency and that employees be given accurate information.

The public comments and Sullivan’s remarks reflected competing accounts about whether any contractual or employment changes were finalized. Commissioners repeatedly reminded speakers that the county’s contract contains a clause prohibiting assignment or subcontracting without the board’s written permission, and several commissioners said any proposed change should have been brought to the board first. Sullivan acknowledged that he had not yet reached agreement with any buyer and said he planned to speak directly with employees.

The board did not vote on the EMS contract or authorize any assignment at this meeting. Commissioners also discussed the broader budget and hiring context later in the meeting, but did not adopt any EMS‑specific policy or directive on May 19.