City’s ambulance services change

One of the two ambulance services currently serving the city of Russellville will close at the end of the month.

Northstar EMS informed the Russellville City Council Monday night that they would be closing their Russellville office on Nov. 28.

“The last three years have been very difficult for us,” said Northstar representative Edgar Calloway.

“The calls just don’t equal what our payroll figures are.”

Northstar and Pleasant Bay Ambulance Service work a rotation based on 911 and other emergency calls in the city, but they also respond to private calls such as for doctor’s visits, nursing home transports and other calls.

“The call volume doesn’t exist and about three percent more people now are without insurance so they basically end up not paying anything,” Calloway said. “With health care the way it is, we cannot continue to lose money.”

Northstar closed their Red Bay operations earlier this year. At that time, Transcare EMS stepped in and assumed the role left by Northstar.

Monday night, Transcare officials told Russellville council members that they were prepared to do the same thing in the city.

“I think we are prepared to step in as we did there,” said Transcare representative Jeff Kemp.

The council tabled any matter related to the ambulance services until a committee could decide if the city needs to adopt an ordinance pertaining to emergency services. To this point, the city has used the 911 board’s guidelines and recommendations.

Council members seem to be in favor of passing an ordinance that would put specific guidelines on ambulance transports in the city, but they want Pleasant Bay and Transcare officials to look over the proposed ordinance more carefully before it is passed.

A special called meeting is expected prior to the council’s next regular meeting on Nov. 21 to decide on the matter.