EMS director discusses Rescue 69 bill, dispatch problems at B'ville
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

"They're rattling our chain and getting away with it." This is a statement made by president of the Ripley County Commissioners, Bob Reiners, regarding Rescue 69 at their October 7 meeting.

County EMS Director, Donald Bowman said Rescue 69 received a bill for the last half of 2004 for $9,650.67 for 163 runs, which averages out to $59.20 per run. Bowman said they are refusing to pay the bill until they know how Scott Melling (previous EMS director) generated the bill. The Commissioners advised Bowman to send Rescue 69 a notice that if the bill is not paid within 30 days the $9,650.67 will be taken from their quarterly check from the county.

Bowman said EMS had 261 runs with Rescue 69 from January through July this year. At the $59.20 rate, that bill would equal $15,451.20. Those too will be taken from their quarterly check if not paid, the commissioners noted.

On Occtober 1, all four county Rescue units will be charged $100 per EMS run. Rescue 10,20 and 30 have all agreed to the fee, but Rescue 69 has not. Bowman said the Rescue 69 wants to be your Advanced Life Support Provider. "Everyone should be treated equally," said Reiners.

Bowman said that Rescue 69 is $35,000 in the hole. "In my opinion Rescue 69 is mismanaged anyway." Commissioner Lawrence Nickell stated, "The people who work there want to do a good job - it's the leadership that's a problem." Attorney Neil Comer said, "The county has no control over Rescue 69 except to replace them. They would have to leave their equipment, but they could leave."

Bowman also brought up his concern that Batesville Dispatch tones EMS out to call calls. "This is putting too many people at risk," said Bowman. When we are called out, we have to respond, even if we know only basic life support is needed, which the rescue units can provide without us. If we are in Batesville when a call comes in that we are actually needed for in another part of the county, we are too far away and lives are at risk."

Bowman further explained, "When EMS goes to a scene, assesses the situation and does not transport, the Rescue unit can charge the Advance Life Support rate and we receive nothing. We do not charge the Rescue unit if we do not transport."

" Batesville's dispatchers can't get it straight, so they just tone us out for everything," said Bowman. Bowman put together a list of the type of calls that require Advanced Life Support and with the Commissioners approval, will give that to Batesville dispatch in hopes it will help the matter. He also stated that dispatch protocol was not a problem with Ripley County dispatch.