News

Ky. County Awards Contract to Provider For Third Year

Chris Cooper

04/27/2012

April 27--Com-Care, Inc. is in again.

The third time is a charm as the company out of Ohio County was awarded to serve as Logan County's Ambulance Service provider at Tuesday's fiscal court meeting. This is the third year for the lone bidder offering the service for $164,000 for the 2012-13 fiscal year, up two and a half percent from last fiscal year.

"You provide a good service," said Magistrate Russell Poore to Com-Care president Jim Duke.

One of the changes in this year's agreement is the dropping of "major mechanical," which was the county's responsibility in previous agreements. Duke told the court that responsibility would now be on Com-Care, Inc. since all of the old ambulances have either been replaced or refurbished.

"We do not expect to have to replace or refurbish any ambulances in the upcoming fiscal year," said Duke.

Com-Care took over in 2009 shortly after Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC) announced they were leaving the county. CHC provided ambulance service for a decade and blamed their leaving on the county not being appreciative.

The contract with Com-Care comes up every year for renewal.

The company promises through it's contract to provide to the Logan County Fiscal Court the following services related to the operation of the Logan County Emergency Medical Services:

Com-Care will operate an Advanced Life Support, Class 1 ground ambulance service as set forth in KRS 311.030 and 202 KAR 7:501. A base will be maintained at the location of the current EMS building located in Russellville and owned by the Logan County Fiscal Court. Com-Care will staff two 24 hour ALS crews plus additional day shift crews as needed for non-emergency transfers. Additional on-call staff will be scheduled daily to address periods of increased volume. Com-Care wills secure and provide an additional base in the Auburn area. Com-Care will provide utilities at both locations.

The company will furnish materials, supplies, storage and any other items necessary or convenient to the operation of a complete emergency and non-emergency Ambulance Service for Logan County. They will provide all vehicle maintenance to ambulances provided by the fiscal court and any response vehicles other than those vehicles noted as "previously owned." As of June 30, 2012, the Logan County Fiscal Court has replaced all ambulances designated as "previously owned."

Com-Care will act as an agent for the county to secure grant funding from state and federal sources as related to Emergency Medical Services. Any equipment or funds secured would be the sole property of the Logan County Fiscal Court.

The company shall be in complete and total control of the management of the Ambulance Service, will have complete and unlimited discretion in the hiring, discharge, payment and assignment of duties of the employees and personnel of the Ambulance Service. All billing and receipts for services which occur during the period contractually agreed upon by both parties shall be the property of Com-Care.

Come-Care will provide professional liability insurance in the amount of no less than three million dollars, in addition to a five million dollar umbrella policy.

They will maintain all run records as required through 202 KAR 7:501 during the period of any contractual agreement and provide all stored run date to the Logan County Fiscal Court whenever any agreement terminates. They will also provide the fiscal court with any date related to run volume, response times and demographic information as requested.

Com-Care will implement a plan with the local EMT's, firefighters, law enforcement and first responders for consumable supply replenishment at no cost to the responding agencies. Monthly training will be provided in the county for all EMT's.

The county's responsibilities in the contract with Com-Care included providing building space for the EMS station, including major maintenance and upkeep of the station currently in Russellville.

To provide emergency dispatching from the current 911 center to include any necessary telecommunications infrastructure.

To provide and replace as necessary six ambulances in good operating condition and meeting all requirements as set forth by 202 KAR 7:501. Also all vehicle collision, comprehension and liability insurance for EMT vehicles.

To purchase capital medical equipment necessary for the operation of the service. Capital equipment will be defined as ambulances and one each of a Cardiac monitor, ambulance stretcher and mobile radio per ambulance.