Discussions between the Plymouth and Argos officials are anticipated before the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members take action on a paramedic assist services resolution.
Plymouth Fire Chief Rod Miller explained to the board members that the Plymouth EMS service, which provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) service, is attempting to recoup material costs. Miller noted that the local hospital started charging EMS for supplies last year when they were provided free of charge prior to 2018. Miller said he worked with City Attorney Sean Surrisi and Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver to start looking at the numbers to find a solution.
“So to stay sustainable Sean, Jeanine and I talked and that’s where we came up with the $300 flat rate fee,” stated Miller.
Plymouth EMS assists Argos and LaPaz who do not have ALS services and the $300 fee will be passed along to the towns for material costs.
Argos Town Council President George Null, Argos Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Mullaney and Argos EMS Director Sarah McCallum asked the board members to reconsider the fee as the funds aren’t there for Argos to pay for assistance at that rate. Mullaney stressed that they are a Basic Life Support (BLS) EMS service and are having trouble getting part-time employees to staff the ambulances and the tax base doesn’t support the service. They’re budgeting what they can for part-time employees, but can’t take on much more in order to sustain the service.
McCallum said there are certain emergency cases that require an ALS service and Plymouth is the closest available unit. New protocols also require more than just BLS service.
Mullaney and McCallum stressed that there is only certain billing that Argos can do to collect funds with a BLS service. Null commented that the extra $300 could be detrimental to the Argos EMS service.
“We’re not saying we won’t pay something,” stated Null. “We just – at this point in time, this could possibly, and I hate to say this, will run the Argos ambulance service out and Plymouth may be taking it over. Or, we just won’t have an ambulance service.”
The board members agreed to table action on the resolution to allow Argos officials, Rod Miller and City Attorney Sean Surrisi to review numbers to come to an agreement when it comes to paramedic assistance. A final decision could be made at a future meeting.
