Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Saint Charles captain seeks resumed $6,000 monthly support; private ambulance operator offers countywide ALS coverage
Summary
Saint Charles Rescue Squad captain Brian Fultz described staffing and financial struggles and asked the board to resume a $6,000 monthly check. Separately, Eddie Kaiser of ProMed/Probate Ambulance Company proposed a privately funded model to provide 24/7 ALS coverage by purchasing equipment, employing local staff, and using convalescent trips to subsidize operations.
Brian Fultz, newly named captain of the Saint Charles Rescue Squad, told the Lee County Board on Nov. 18 that the squad began his tenure with roughly $2,000 in its account after leadership turnover. He said the squad had 48 total calls recently, with 29 billable calls that, at current Medicaid reimbursement rates, amount to roughly $14,000 in revenue for the month. Fultz asked the board to consider resuming a previously agreed $6,000 monthly payment to stabilize payroll and supplies.
Fultz said the squad's trucks are now operational, insurance was restored and billing changes have increased revenue, but cashflow remains fragile. He stated that Medicaid reimbursements were generally low per call ("most of what I've got back with Medicaid has been between 2 and $300"), and that the monthly check would provide a safety cushion while the squad aims for self‑sufficiency.
Later in the meeting Eddie Kaiser, who identified himself as president of "Probate Ambulance Company" and also described experience with a separate operation called ProMed, presented a detailed private‑sector proposal to address countywide EMS shortfalls. Kaiser said ProMed could provide "guaranteed ALS coverage 24/7, 365" by purchasing equipment, employing existing local EMS personnel, and operating a mixed model in which convalescent/nonemergency trips subsidize 911 ambulance coverage.
Kaiser outlined elements of the proposal: purchase of surplus local trucks and equipment at fair market value, employment of local staff (with EVOC drivers starting at $20/hr and paramedics up to $33/hr), training pipelines (EMT and paramedic programs), benefits after 90 days (UnitedHealthcare coverage), and stationing at a proposed Pennington base with additional trucks across the county. He emphasized ProMed/Probate would seek building space without rent and would not request county subsidies, arguing the company would reinvest non‑911 revenues into operations.
Supervisors asked about local supervision, retention guarantees, and whether trucks could be removed later; Kaiser said ProMed would employ area supervisors, maintain market value purchases, and invited board members to tour facilities. Board members and staff acknowledged the county does not own EMS trucks and that agency participation and local agreements would be required for any transition. No contract or formal agreement with ProMed/Probate was signed at the meeting; the proposal was presented for board consideration and further discussion.
The board separately authorized the county administrator to disperse up to $6,000 to Saint Charles Rescue Squad if deemed necessary and requested financial reports be included in the next packet.
