News
 By  Jonathan Willis Published 
8:33 am Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also on Franklin County Times
Text message signaled return to state
High School Sports, Main, Red Bay Tigers, ...
AHSAA NW REGIONAL FINAL RED BAY 64, COLD SPRINGS 52
David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — It was a simple text message, one sent by a mom of a former player. It was a six-year-old picture of Red Bay huddled together outside Leg...
An emotional loss for senior Fisher
Belgreen Bulldogs, High School Sports, Main, ...
COLD SPRINGS 45, BELGREEN 42
David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — Their hands found their faces quickly — something, anything, to absorb the tears. It only worked so well. “It’s hard,” Makenna Fisher sai...
Court asked to halt lot sales
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County commissioners are seeking a court order to halt future sales of lots for the Lightning Ridge subdivision. Colbert Count...
Tellish named Rural Teacher of the Year
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Middle school teacher Carley Andrews Tellish has been named the 2026 Spezzini Rural Teacher of the Year, an honor that recognizes one K...
Students compete in annual beef cook-off
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- The annual Franklin County Cattlemen’s beef cookoff took place recently at Triple H Barn with students from Russellville, Red Bay, Bel...
Garden club revisits Lewis and Clark expedition
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
February 25, 2026
As the 250th celebration of the United States approaches, members of the Cultura Garden club have been revisiting American history through a series of...
Medicare Advantage must be funded
Columnists, Opinion
February 25, 2026
In a few short months, policymakers will decide the financial fate of the Medicare Advantage program and its millions of members. While the program is...
Guntersville ends season for RHS girls basketball
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
Brannon King For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
The memorable and successful 2025-26 girls basketball season came to an end for the Russellville Golden Tigers at the AHSAA Class 5A Northwest Regiona...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *