Chickasaw County Officials Hear Initial Report on Ambulance Service

Chickasaw County officials heard four possible routes to take with ambulance service in the county Tuesday night.

In a joint meeting between the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors and the Chickasaw Ambulance Council, representatives from SaveTech Solutions presented their findings from a feasibility study on the current state of EMS and ambulance service as well as what could be done in the future.

SaveTech offered four possible models, including developing a new contract with the current provider, Jeremy McGrath and Chickasaw Ambulance Service; solicit RFPs for a new provider; create a new provider through joint powers or create an ambulance district for a county-run service; or have MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center provide the service.

Asked by County Attorney David Laudner as to which model SaveTech would recommend, consultant Tom Fennell said it’s not an easy call.

SaveTech’s Lee Huber noted that whatever direction is taken, everyone needs to be on board with the plan.

No action was taken on the feasibility study by either the supervisors or the ambulance council, which has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, May 24 to discuss the feasibility study in more detail.