New captain seeks resumed funding for Saint Charles Rescue Squad; private ambulance company pitches countywide ALS coverage

At the Nov. 18 Lee County Board of Supervisors meeting, Brian Fultz, newly named captain of the Saint Charles Rescue Squad, told the board his unit had begun recovering after leadership turnover but remained financially fragile and asked that the county resume a previously agreed $6,000 monthly payment to provide payroll stability and cover essential bills.

Fultz said the squad’s account balance was about $2,000 at his takeover, that trucks and insurance had required immediate attention, and that the unit had completed 48 calls (35 outside its primary area) since Nov. 1. He estimated increases in billable calls would bring in roughly $14,000 per month under current call volumes but said the resumed county payment would provide an important cushion while the squad builds capacity.

Later in the meeting, Eddie Kaiser, identified as president of Probate Ambulance Company (also referred to as ProMed), presented a private-sector plan to strengthen county EMS. Kaiser said ProMed could provide guaranteed advanced life support (ALS) coverage 24/7 by purchasing existing local trucks and equipment, employing local staff at market wages, and using convalescent-trip revenue to help sustain operations. Kaiser proposed stationing multiple 911-capable trucks across the county (including Pennington and Thomas Walker), offering training pathways (EMT through paramedic), and not charging rent if the county or local agencies provide building space for ambulance bays.

Kaiser described staffing and pay (entry-level EVOC driver $20/hr; paramedics up to $33/hr in his proposal), a minimum crew model for 911 trucks (two staff per unit on duty; multiple units per region), and a trade that would let ProMed run convalescent trips to offset costs while guaranteeing 911 coverage. He said the company would not seek subsidies but asked for facility space and reasonable operating flexibility. Board members asked about safeguards to prevent removal of equipment from agencies that later opt out; Kaiser said purchases would be made at fair market value and intended to be returned to local agencies where practicable.

The board approved a motion authorizing the county administrator to disperse up to $6,000 to Saint Charles Rescue Squad if deemed necessary, with the condition that reports accompany the request in the next packet. The board did not take immediate action on ProMed’s proposal and directed staff to follow up on logistics and negotiations.

The discussion highlights the county’s strained EMS landscape and the different options presented: direct financial support to a volunteer-run squad versus a private operator offering a countywide paid service.