Augusta, GA
New ambulance provider wins contract with Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The contract with a brand new ambulance service supplier was handed by the Augusta Fee on Tuesday.
It was accepted 8-1, with Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle voting no and Commissioner Alvin Mason not current.
It introduced a sigh of aid to commissioners who debated forwards and backwards for nearly a yr over a contract with Gold Cross EMS earlier than even beginning the method with Central.
“I’m simply happy to have this behind us so we are able to transfer on to extra necessary issues,” mentioned Mayor Garnett Johnson.
Within the draft contract with Central EMS, the ambulance service was in search of a $2.65 million annual subsidy – a better subsidy than the one sought by Central’s predecessor.
Central desires a 3% enhance within the subsidy yearly the contract is renewed, to account for inflation. The present contract that’s being proposed could be for 5 years. By yr 5, it’ll be almost $3 million.
MORE FROM NEWS 12:
Central’s subsidy for this yr could be decrease than $2.65 million since we’re nicely into the yr.
As part of factoring in response occasions, ambulance quantities, and Richmond County’s indigent inhabitants that’s unable to pay for emergency service, Central EMS says it wants to keep up a ten% annual web earnings to have the ability to survive as an organization in Augusta.
The contract requires eight ambulances, six further ambulances throughout peak hours, and three quick-response autos.
Commissioner Brandon Garrett mentioned: “Once you have a look at the contracts facet by facet, one of many issues that basically stood out to me is what’s being offered in every contract. The contract that we checked out earlier this yr had a complete of 9 autos for $1.9 million, this one has upwards of 17 autos on the highway at any time.”
For Central EMS, by their projections, the subsidy quantity solely will get them a 6.3 p.c revenue margin on their deal. They needed ten.
In addition they face penalties for not with the ability to meet 911 response occasions between 12 and half-hour.
Central’s response occasions and different statistics to this point had been introduced to the Augusta Fee on Tuesday. The vary from six minutes and 49 seconds on April 5 to 16 minutes and 23 seconds the subsequent day.
SEE THE STATISTICS:
| Date | Ambulances | Calls | Transports | Common response time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2 | 8 | 61 | 26 | 11:35 |
| April 3 | 8 | 81 | 21 | 14:17 |
| April 4 | 8 | 78 | 41 | 13:00 |
| April 5 | 10 | 86 | 53 | 6:49 |
| April 6 | 11 | 97 | 53 | 16:23 |
| April 7 | 8 | 75 | 29 | 11:39 |
| April 8 | 7 | 74 | 32 | 12:11 |
| April 9 | 10 | 79 | 31 | 14:29 |
| April 10 | 10 | 96 | 38 | 13:37 |
| April 11 | 9 | 94 | 46 | 14:38 |
| April 12 | 10 | 89 | 53 | 14:18 |
| April 13 | 11 | 81 | 47 | 13:12 |
| April 14 | 11 | 88 | 49 | 12:54 |
| April 15 | 9 | 92 | 40 | 15:50 |
Central EMS President Gary Coker mentioned: “My medics inform me once they go into Walmart to purchase one thing, individuals are patting them on the again and thanking them for being right here.”
Central began offering ambulance service in Augusta-Richmond County on April 2 after Gold Cross EMS all of a sudden pull its companies. Gold Cross had beforehand mentioned it might exit on April 22, after which Central would take over.
However then Gold Cross all of a sudden mentioned it was leaving, giving 12 hours’ discover.
Central was chosen as Augusta’s new ambulance supplier after the town refused to provide Gold Cross the subsidies it needed. One of many final annual subsidies being mentioned with Gold Cross was $1.9 million.
Additionally Tuesday, the Augusta Fee accepted:
- Emergency funding of $1.6 million for the Charles B Webster Detention Heart, and upkeep work starting from glass alternative to roof alternative.
- A greater than $4 expenditure for packages involving the housing and repair wants of low- and moderate-income residents.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.