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Franklin County moves to county‑run EMS: board signs off on staffing, policies and contract steps
Summary
The commission approved sending draft EMS staffing and leave policies for legal and audit review, accepted leave balances from Weems employees, and approved a billing contract and Eastpoint station lease assumption as the county assumes EMS operations June 1. The actions were unanimous.
Franklin County commissioners on May 6 approved several steps to operationalize the county’s takeover of emergency medical services, including review of personnel and staffing policies, transitional leave acceptance for incoming Weems Memorial EMS staff, and provider contracting to support billing and an Eastpoint station lease.
At the meeting, newly appointed EMS Director Cristgen Graham and EMS consultant Richard Lewis described hiring progress, saying full‑time paramedic and captain positions were filled and that the county is close to full staffing for EMT slots. Graham stated, “we are 100% staffed when it comes to our EMS captains’ positions, and 100% staff when it comes to our EMS paramedics,” and said the county expects full coverage as PRN workers and reserve vehicles supplement the fleet.
The board unanimously authorized sending draft Time, Attendance and Leave and Staffing and Minimum Coverage policies to the county’s labor attorney and auditors for review, a necessary step before formal adoption. Commissioners emphasized the importance of defined minimum coverage (48‑hour shifts with a 48/96 cycle) and controls for overtime usage.
Other actions the board approved by unanimous vote: - Acceptance of up to 160 hours of vacation and up to 320 hours of sick leave from Weems employees hired by Franklin EMS during the transition. This preserves staff leave during the change in operators. - Approval to piggyback a billing contract with Digitech Computer, LLC (based on the City of Fernandina Beach pricing): 4.95% of net non‑Medicaid collections, $10 Medicaid flat fee per transport, $2 HIPAA notice fee per transport, with a $5,000 monthly minimum; county counsel will review termination and performance language. - Authorization for county staff to assume the Eastpoint EMS station lease (Suite C, 171 U.S. Highway 98; $1,500/month, term through Nov. 30, 2027) with attorney review of the lease terms.
Why it matters: The steps aim to create a stable, county‑run EMS with defined staffing, payroll and billing arrangements and to preserve employee benefits during the transition. Commissioners expressed a goal of sustaining three staffed ALS ambulances to cover the long, thin county geography.
Next steps: County and legal staff will finalize contract language with Digitech, complete lease assumption documents with landlord counsel review, and return policy recommendations after labor attorney and auditor review.
