LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A new ambulance service might be coming to Clark County.
Tuesday, the Clark County EMS Advisory Board voted to send the county commissioners a 90-day contract with Muncie-based Heartland Ambulance Service.
According to Clark County Health Officer Dr. Eric Yazel, under the proposed contract Heartland will supply four Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances staffed with paramedics to the county 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Yazel said the contract is $130,000 for the first month, $110,000 for the second month, and $103,000 for the third month.
Also under the proposed 90-day contract, Heartland will become the primary EMS provider in Clark County, moving New Chapel EMS to secondary, and providing "mutual aid" for Heartland when needed.
Under its current contract with the county, which ends in December 2025, New Chapel EMS is to provide five ALS ambulances, but Yazel said they just don't have the workforce for that anymore.
"The lack of consistency with New Chapel is why we are in this situation," Yazel said.
The EMS climate in southern Indiana has been in turmoil since last November when New Chapel was tied to controversy after its former CEO and former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel was charged with using department money for personal use. Noel faces at least 30 felony charges related to fraud, misconduct, theft, ghost employment, money laundering and public corruption.
Even with this contract with Heartland, the county will still be short ambulances and paramedics to support the whole county. Other departments like Jeffersonville and Tri-Township Fire Departments, Yazel said, will have to step in to provide coverage.
Once the commissioners approve the contract, Yazel said Heartland can start service in Clark County within 48 hours.
More Clark County EMS Coverage:
- Clarksville residents, officials worried about slow EMS response times
- Floyd County looks to separate from EMS service company once operated by Jamey Noel
- Floyd County leaders seeking new ambulance service as response times, legal issues complicate the future
- Clarksville officials considering ambulance service after councilman dies on election day
- ISP serves additional search warrants in ongoing investigation into former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel
- Jeffersonville ponders creating its own EMS service as the future of New Chapel EMS remains in doubt
- Tri-Township Fire Department adds new ambulances to service Clark County, Indiana
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