Ala. Board Delays Action on EMS Changes

Nov. 18--JACKSONVILLE -- Alexandria residents could see a change in their emergency medical service, but for now it'll remain in the hands of Anniston EMS, pending a decision by the Calhoun County 911 board.

Thursday night at a board meeting, Alexandria Volunteer Fire Chief Jimmy Fisher raised concerns about his department's partnership with Anniston EMS and formally requested that Piedmont Rescue Squad become the primary responding agency.

While speaking in front of the board, which oversees emergency service jurisdictions, Fisher said that issues began about two years ago with the service Anniston EMS provided.

"We had a meeting about two, 2 1/2 years ago, with Anniston EMS," Fisher said. "They assured us things would be corrected or attempted to be corrected and they appointed us a liaison between the two agencies."

Fisher said the issues seemed to be resolved, but devolved again as "things became comfortable again."

"My board is in support of us making this change," Fisher said. "We have letters signed throughout the community. We want to provide the best possible care for our citizens and we just feel Piedmont Rescue is who we need to be with."

However, Anniston EMS president Johnny Warren said Thursday afternoon by phone that no issues were brought to his attention until a letter came from the 911 Board addressing the possible change.

Anniston EMS Director Ken McElroy echoed that concern as well while addressing the board Thursday night.

"We have received a letter that the fire chief sent to the 911 Board but this wasn't discussed with us prior to that letter," Warren said. "We were kind of blindsided. We haven't heard any complaints from them or anything."

Fisher, after some probing questions from the board, said the issues largely revolved around patient care. As an example he told of an incident about six months ago in which a woman was thrown from a motorcycle and a medical helicopter was called.

"A paramedic attempted to call it off," Fisher said. "By calling off that helicopter, that's not taking care of my citizen."

McElroy explained that his employees also have certain criteria patients have to meet to call a medical helicopter.

"They did call for a helicopter and we have discussed that," he said. "In Alabama, we have a protocol to go by, we have a trauma control center we consult with and if there is a conflict in that then the paramedic is supposed to go to the nearest medical facility."

McElroy went on to note that Anniston EMS has had a presence in Alexandria for nearly 40 years. The agency currently has a station on U.S. 431, as does Piedmont Rescue.

"This area is unique," McElroy explained. "Right now there are two available ambulances for that area. Us and Piedmont. If you cut us out, that cuts the available coverage in half."

Both the Anniston EMS station, McElroy said, and Piedmont station, Chief Phillip Winkles said, are staffed full time around the clock. However, the primary region for the Piedmont station on U.S. 431 is the Big Oak area and Ohatchee, Winkles said after the meeting.

Piedmont responds to calls in the Alexandria area if the Anniston EMS ambulance is unable to respond, McElroy explained to the board.

Also, cutting the Anniston EMS station could mean that the six employees that work that will either be reassigned or laid off, Warren said.

"If it happens, it happens and we will just have to look at it then," he said. "We will definitely have to close that station though."

Board members Thursday night were leery of making a decision on the change. A protocol, which requires certain information to be presented to the board, was put into place in 2014 for service change requests. That protocol information however, was not forwarded to Fisher before the meeting.

"In short I think Alexandria has some homework to do," board member Rick Dickson said during the meeting. "I think they need to document that criteria in the protocol and bring it back to us."

Staff writer Kirsten Fiscus: 256-235-3563. On Twitter @kfiscus_star.

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