Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the EMS Capacity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ambulance provider ProMed seeks county authorization; supervisors refer certificate-of-need question to emergency services committee
Summary
ProMed representatives asked the board to authorize operation in Tazewell County to increase ambulance capacity. Hospital administrators supported the request; local EMS leaders warned of possible financial impacts on municipal providers. The board referred the matter to its Emergency Services committee for stakeholder review.
ProMed Ambulance representatives presented data to the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors on March 3 seeking authorization to operate within the county and increase ambulance capacity.
Giles Sarton of ProMed told the board the company recorded 97 transports originating in the county year-to-date and submitted letters of support from local hospitals, including Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital, urging approval to expand transport capacity. “Adding ProMed ambulance service as an additional EMS provider will expand transport capacity, shorten response times and strengthen the overall emergency response infrastructure,” a letter in the record said.
Town EMS leaders cautioned that private providers commonly earn revenue from interfacility transports, and that if a private firm captures most transports municipal services could be left covering 911 calls at a loss. Tony Wyatt, captain of Tazewell EMS, said there may not be enough transports to sustain all providers, warning of a “ripple effect” on town-run EMS finances and staffing.
County supervisors agreed the public-health objective of more available ambulances is important but also that the financial and operational impacts on existing municipal and volunteer providers must be considered. The board asked staff to convene the Emergency Services committee with hospital representatives, municipal EMS leaders and ProMed to craft a recommendation before a final county decision on the certificate of need and any contractual terms (e.g., backup/911 coverage commitments).
