Board schedules ambulance authorization vote, discusses forming Emergency Services Council

The Dolores County Board of County Commissioners agreed to place an "authorization to operate" item on the April 4 meeting agenda so ambulance representatives and the new chief can participate in a formal discussion. Chair (speaking for the board) proposed the change and the panel agreed on a 10:30 a.m. start time so the ambulance board and the new chief could attend.

Emergency responders at the meeting described the proposed council as a way to coordinate nine local agencies, streamline grant applications and resolve operational questions. Keith, who took part in the discussion, said the council would make grant applications stronger by providing unified letters of support: "If we have an emergency service council with, you know, 9 agencies, that, you can say, hey. Look. I've been looking for a grant for this, and our emergency services council is behind it 100% with a letter that makes our grants easier," Keith said. The board asked staff to provide the ambulance chief with the county's licensing resolution and to invite ambulance leadership back to the April 4 meeting.

The conversation also covered licensing logistics. Keith explained that, once the board votes, the county can complete the state's online renewal process but the ambulance service should first file a renewal request so licensing paperwork is ready by the end of June. The board agreed to ensure the ambulance submits the needed documentation and to assist where appropriate. No formal authorization vote on licensing occurred at this meeting; the item was scheduled for the next meeting.