Lee County public hearing draws sharp debate over EMS franchise as advisory panel backs First Health

The Lee County Board of Commissioners heard more than two hours of public testimony on a proposed change in the county’s emergency medical services franchise, with community members, current paramedics and volunteer fire chiefs sharply divided over whether to replace incumbent First Health with bidder MedEx.

The county’s EMS advisory committee, represented at the hearing by Jessica Miller, told the board it had reviewed each vendor’s responses to the county’s RFA, attended in-person vendor presentations, submitted follow-up questions and based its recommendation on the standards in the RFA. "Our role was to recommend the RFA requirements," Miller said, and the committee made a unanimous recommendation for First Health after its review.

That recommendation framed much of the public testimony. Several current and former First Health paramedics described clinical and cultural differences they say matter in emergency care. Natalie Vaughn, a senior paramedic with First Health, urged commissioners to "weigh not only the numbers on a proposal sheet, but the proven track record, clinical capability, and ethical foundation of the organization you entrust with your community's emergencies." She said equipment alone cannot replace workforce culture and continuity.

Volunteer…