Paint Creek fire district proposes EMS fee for outside calls
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The Paint Creek Joint Fire and EMS District is considering charging for EMS runs not within the district, as the increased amount of squad runs is putting a financial strain on the district. A rate will be proposed before the end of the year, according to a district trustee.
William Redenbaugh, Greenfield Village Council member and fire district trustee, told council during their regular meeting Tuesday that the district is in the investigation stage of implementing a rate for the emergency runs.
Redenbaugh said that they do not yet know what the charge might be.
Regarding a timeline for the new charge, Redenbaugh said, "We're working on it diligently. Something is going to be enacted before the end of the year."
The Paint Creek Joint Fire and EMS District is made up of the village of Greenfield, Madison and Buckskin townships and Ross County's Paint Township. They are funded through a 5.5-mill levy that was agreed upon by voters when the district formed.
Redenbaugh told The Highland County Press Tuesday that the charge is a necessity so they can be responsible to the voters and taxpayers of the district.
"They are paying for their own coverage. They're not paying for coverage outside the district. We owe this to our constituents," Redenbaugh said.
There currently is no contract for services, and Redenbaugh said that proposed fee would be just for EMS, and not for fire coverage. He said that the district provides mutual aid fire coverage to anyone who requests it.
The district does soft billing on EMS for runs within the district, and hard billing for runs outside the district, according to Redenbaugh.
Paint Township currently contracts for services with Hillsboro Fire and Rescue. The city of Hillsboro is currently in negotiations with Paint and five other townships - Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market and Washington - on contracts for fire and EMS coverage. Redenbaugh said that the Joint Fire District receives the calls for the northern portion of Paint Township and "we're the first to get the call."
Redenbaugh said that any estimate on what the rate might be would only be a guess, and he didn't want to put out inaccurate information.
From the beginning of 2011 to the middle of September, the district has had 872 total runs with with approximately 68 squad runs outside the district.
"We're not done yet. We've still got three more months left," Redenbaugh said.
The amount of runs has been hard on the squads, and that they're "getting worn out." The district is currently in the process of applying for grants in order to purchase a new squad, he said.
"There's a very good chance we could get one of these grants," Redenbaugh said. "Do I think we need a Cadillac [or high-end squad]? No. But we will get a good vehicle. The support behind the district is the voters. We have to be frugal with their money, and the key is to live within our means."
The Paint Creek Joint Fire and EMS District is considering charging for EMS runs not within the district, as the increased amount of squad runs is putting a financial strain on the district. A rate will be proposed before the end of the year, according to a district trustee.
William Redenbaugh, Greenfield Village Council member and fire district trustee, told council during their regular meeting Tuesday that the district is in the investigation stage of implementing a rate for the emergency runs.
Redenbaugh said that they do not yet know what the charge might be.
Regarding a timeline for the new charge, Redenbaugh said, "We're working on it diligently. Something is going to be enacted before the end of the year."
The Paint Creek Joint Fire and EMS District is made up of the village of Greenfield, Madison and Buckskin townships and Ross County's Paint Township. They are funded through a 5.5-mill levy that was agreed upon by voters when the district formed.
Redenbaugh told The Highland County Press Tuesday that the charge is a necessity so they can be responsible to the voters and taxpayers of the district.
"They are paying for their own coverage. They're not paying for coverage outside the district. We owe this to our constituents," Redenbaugh said.
There currently is no contract for services, and Redenbaugh said that proposed fee would be just for EMS, and not for fire coverage. He said that the district provides mutual aid fire coverage to anyone who requests it.
The district does soft billing on EMS for runs within the district, and hard billing for runs outside the district, according to Redenbaugh.
Paint Township currently contracts for services with Hillsboro Fire and Rescue. The city of Hillsboro is currently in negotiations with Paint and five other townships - Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market and Washington - on contracts for fire and EMS coverage. Redenbaugh said that the Joint Fire District receives the calls for the northern portion of Paint Township and "we're the first to get the call."
Redenbaugh said that any estimate on what the rate might be would only be a guess, and he didn't want to put out inaccurate information.
From the beginning of 2011 to the middle of September, the district has had 872 total runs with with approximately 68 squad runs outside the district.
"We're not done yet. We've still got three more months left," Redenbaugh said.
The amount of runs has been hard on the squads, and that they're "getting worn out." The district is currently in the process of applying for grants in order to purchase a new squad, he said.
"There's a very good chance we could get one of these grants," Redenbaugh said. "Do I think we need a Cadillac [or high-end squad]? No. But we will get a good vehicle. The support behind the district is the voters. We have to be frugal with their money, and the key is to live within our means."
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