Greene County reviews aging ambulance fleet, seeks replacements and names station as backup EOC

Greene County emergency services officials reported equipment problems, procurement delays and falling revenues at the board meeting.

The county’s Director said several ambulances promised by vendors have not been delivered because of a territorial dispute among sellers; one vendor, identified in discussion as Jeff, told staff that three vehicles meeting the department’s F-350, 4x4 and compartmentation specifications might be available around July 1. “We are actively looking and waiting,” the Director said, summarizing the department’s efforts to find vehicles that meet its compartmentation and power-load requirements.

Staff are also repurposing components from an older unit to avoid buying new equipment. Vehicle 69 was taken out of service and a power-load unit is being removed so it can be installed in a different chassis, a step the Director said would save the county about $30,000 in tax dollars. Officials stressed the difficulty of retrofitting some older side-mount trucks with power-load systems because floors have already been cut for the side mount.

The department reported routine maintenance on other units, including oil changes and new tires, and reviewed mileage and service hours to extend the life of older vehicles.

Finance figures presented by staff showed March revenue of $152,678.72 and April revenue of $129,762.45; the department’s year-to-date balance was reported as negative $121,590.95. For the recent reporting period staff said the service ran 439 calls, 285 of which were transports.

Officials also told the board that the EMS facility at Linton will serve as a backup emergency operations center (EOC) if the county’s primary EOC is unusable. Computers, radios and other equipment will be portable and the local fire department and station staff have been given access in emergency situations. The Director asked the board to endorse the plan and said facility access and security had been arranged with local partners.

A commissioner who requested a second training slot for paramedic school said the county’s investment in local employees helps retain staff in rural areas. The board recorded a motion to pursue sending an additional employee to paramedic school; speakers noted that the proposal would still require council approval before it could be finalized.

The department also discussed work-force impacts: an EMT with a prior back injury transferred to another county position with permanent restrictions and there was no open workers’ compensation claim.

Next steps: staff will continue to follow up with vendors about ambulance availability, bring the training-slot proposal to council for approval, and pursue the planned reuse of existing equipment to keep vehicles in service without large immediate capital outlays.