NEW ALBANY, Ind. — If you need an ambulance in Floyd County come Saturday, AmeriPro will respond. This ends a 6-year period where New Chapel EMS was the responding agency in the county.
"I think this is a good day for Floyd County, and we'll have county-wide EMS protection," councilman Brad Striegel said.
The two contracts, one with AmeriPro and one with Highlander Fire Department, were both approved last Tuesday by the county commissioners. The county council formally awarded the funding Wednesday, making the contracts official.
AmeriPro will respond county-wide in 2024, while Highlander FD is given a stipend to "staff up" and prepare to roll out ambulance service for the first time. In 2025 and 2026, Highlander will cover two townships and AmeriPro will cover three townships.
During the life of the contracts (which expire at the end of 2026), AmeriPro will receive $2.5 million and Highlander will receive $1.03 million.
Councilors Striegel, Denise Konkle and commissioner John Schellenberger have been very vocal that they wanted "fire-based EMS". Some of the positives they have mentioned are that fire-based has more government oversight than a private company, and that many fire departments are beginning to cross-train paramedics as well, and the county wants to support that.
Other leaders haven't necessarily been against fire-based EMS, but question if Highlander is ready. Highlander has never offered ambulance service before, and Striegel announced Wednesday the department had recently gotten an ambulance certification it needs.
Councilors Danny Short and Connie Moon voted against awarding the funding Wednesday, citing a certain clause in Highlander's contract, which is not in AmeriPro's contract, that awards them the full contract amount, even if the county wants to end it early.
"Everyone's in understanding that there's no way out of that contract, is that correct?" Moon asked. No one responded.
Sheriff Steve Bush took the podium before the meeting ended and reminded the councilors that they are asking first responders to do a lot of change in a very short time. In addition to these contracts becoming effective Saturday, the New Albany Township Fire Protection District also ended its contract with New Chapel Fire which is effective Friday at 6 p.m.
The plan to replace New Chapel Fire is the creation of a new "New Albany Township Fire Rescue" that board president Darrell Mills is trying to set up.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.