Red Bay officials still looking at EMS options
RED BAY – At Monday’s meeting of the Red Bay City Council, council members and Mayor Bobby Forsythe met with representatives from NorthStar EMS to discuss the ambulance service’s recent decision to shut down their Red Bay office.
Bret Dierking, Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning for NorthStar, told the council that the Red Bay office was simply suffering from economic shortfalls and that it was always hard to have to address economic issues with city leaders.
“We would like to stay in the city if at all possible and we are willing to work through some different options that would make that a reality,” Dierking said.
Dierking suggested cost sharing, which would include the city paying for some of the company’s expenses; or restructuring, which would include changing the way the Red Bay office was operated and possibly involving the Russellville office more often.
Dierking went over detailed figures of the company’s financial situation at the Red Bay office and explained to council members how NorthStar is able to generate revenue.
“This is a problem that has been developing for some time now,” Dierking said.
“Other offices that are doing well have been subsidizing our Red Bay office, but we just can’t continue to do that anymore. We want each operation to be able to stand on its own.”
The mayor and council will go over the different options NorthStar provided as well as check into other ambulance services that might be able to provide the same type of care at a lower cost.
“In the recent weeks, we have had several ambulance services that are interested in working here,” Forsythe said.
“We will go over each option and proposal and see what is best for Red Bay.”
Before the meeting, the Franklin County Community Development Commission awarded grants to the following organizations:
• $1,000 to the Red Bay High School gymnasium’s sound system from Sen. Roger Bedford
• $1,000 to the Red Bay High School gymnasium’s sound system from Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow
• $1,000 to the Bear Creek Development Authority’s dormitory roofing project from Bedford
• $1,000 to the Bear Creek Development Authority’s dormitory roofing project from Morrow
• $3,500 to the Gravel Hill Fire Department from Morrow
• $2,515 to the Vina Fire Department from Morrow
In other business, the council addressed the following issues:
• The council approved nine policy and procedure updates to the Red Bay Police Department’s handbook.
• The council voted to continue looking through the sewage energy upgrade bids.
• The council went into executive session to discuss a Water and Gas in lieu of tax issue.
• The mayor announced that Friday’s garbage would be picked up on Monday, Dec. 27.
• The mayor announced that there are still two vacant positions on the Industrial Development Board and anyone interested in serving on the board should contact the Red Bay City Hall at 256-356-4473.
