JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — The Clark County Commissioners have made their decision for a long-term ambulance plan. Heartland Ambulance Service, who has been working on short-term contracts for three months, has been given a $9 million, three-year contract.
"You get what you pay for. I have been totally satisfied with Heartland's service. I think that the commissioners have looked at it, I think the subcommittee has looked at it and I am confident in their decision," Kelly Khuri said. Khuri is a Clark County resident and also a board member for the Utica Township Fire Protection District.
Heartland has pledged to provide four advanced life support (ALS) and three basic life support ambulances 24/7. They have also committed to an (ALS) ambulance 12 hours per day Monday through Friday. With that there will be four paramedics on shift at all times, and five paramedics during peak times.
"I think based on our current data, that eighth ambulance will help with the majority of the times when we're unavailable for calls," Josh Keywood said, the director of operations for Heartland.
The contract is for $252,000 per month in the first year, which equates to $3.02 million in 2025. New Chapel EMS was charging only $87,000 per month for six ambulances around the clock.
Brian Glover, the head of the commissioners, said they have the money to pay for this increased service. He said they have $10 million left in American Rescue Plan funds that can be used until the end of 2026.
"We would still have some left over. Out of the $10 million, we'd probably be using $5, maybe $5.1 [million]," Glover said. "We always want less of a price, but for the service we've been receiving...it's a fair price. It's a fair ask."
In a FOCUS Investigation on Nov. 1, we told you how Heartland Ambulance had improved response times by three minutes comparing fall 2024 to 2023.
The contract is contingent on the County Council approving funding. The contract has a built-in 120 day "out," "with or without cause." The purpose of this was to allow the contract to be ended or modified if Jeffersonville Fire adds a full ambulance service.
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