Goal: Polk wants better EMS service
Members of the Polk County commission’s Emergency Medical Services Committee want to see the level of ambulance service care improved.
With that in mind, the three members of the committee who met at the Copper Basin Community Center August 6 worked on a draft request for proposals (RFP) to be presented to the full commission.
If the commission approves, the request will be published.
Christy Hardin, who chairs the EMS committee and full commission, said at least three ambulance services have expressed an interest in bidding on the service.
At the top of the list for better service is for four Advanced Life Support ambulances to be staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Two would be on the East side of the county and two on the West side
The staffing requirement would require no less than one paramedic on each ambulance.
Polk County does not currently receive this level of care.
There were several other stipulations agreed to for the RFP including a monthly performance review for the first six months and then a review every six months. At any time the service is found to be in breach of contract, a $2,500 penalty would be assessed after ten days, an additional $5,000 after 20 days, and then an additional $7,500 after 30 days.
Third District Commissioner Keith Barker summed up the top priority for an RFP saying the county must get “the number of trucks and the level of care” stipulated.
Besides Hardin and Barker, Third District Commissioner Samantha Trantham was present. All agreed the level of care was their priority.
The RFP will be presented to the full commission at its regular meeting Thursday, August 15 at the Copper Basin Community Center.