Chickasaw County Ambulance Feasibility Study Completes Initial Steps
The initial steps on a study of the feasibility of Chickasaw County operating its own ambulance service were taken last week.
The Chickasaw County Ambulance Council has contracted with SaveTech Solutions to conduct the study, which included dozens of interviews last Monday and Tuesday with elected officials and other select representatives for the eight cities and the county represented on the ambulance council. The public also got a chance to express their views during a special town hall meeting last Monday night hosted by SaveTech.
Chickasaw County Supervisor Jake Hackman says many of the public comments during the town hall meeting have been voiced previously to the ambulance council, but they felt it was important to have SaveTech to hear those concerns directly for themselves.
Hackman notes that SaveTech also still has additional information to gather before providing feedback on their findings.
In addition to the feasibility study, the ambulance council in January also approved a six-month contract extension with current provider, Jeremy McGrath and Chickasaw Ambulance Service, that will continue services through December 31st.
The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors has discussed the possibility of using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help pay for startup costs including purchasing ambulances. ARPA funds can not be used to pay staff and benefits.
