S.C. Panel Considers EMS Plan
Oct. 01--The leader of Anderson County's finance committee said Thursday that officials are willing to consider all information before making a decision about how the county's emergency medical services should be handled.
"We're not trying to predetermine which model the county wants," said county Councilman Francis Crowder, the leader of the finance panel. "In fact, the first option is to keep the system we have if it can be saved. Well, saved is a bad word. If it can be modified so it can be financially stable and serve all the people that it should, we would look at that."
The committee unanimously agreed to hire Missouri-based Fitch & Associates to do an in-depth analysis of the county's rescue squads. The panel also approved a draft document that outlines the scope of work for the consulting firm. The county wants the consulting firm to:
Analyze each squad's finances and billing practices, care-delivery standards and source of patients.
Interview key squad personnel and find out what each squad's solution is for staying open if that is an option.
Review staffing, ambulances and the locations of quick-response vehicles to determine if changes need to be made.
Determine if some areas can be aligned or consolidated.
The county will also ask the consultants to look at the pros and cons of several models. One would keep the current system in place by improving financing. Other models call for consolidation or multiple ways to develop a unified, countywide system. Crowder developed the draft scope of work himself.
"Personally, I think this scope of work is on the right track to get us the information we need to make wise decisions," Councilwoman Cindy Wilson said.
The finance panel's recommendations will be voted on by the full County Council next week.
The county normally pays nonprofit rescue squads in Belton, Honea Path, Iva, Pelzer, Pendleton, Townville and Williamston and the private company Medshore Ambulance Service a total of $4 million annually to handle emergency medical calls throughout the county. After officials determined that Williamston Emergency Medical Services was operating at least $300,000 in debt and could not make payroll, the county entered a contract with Medshore to provide temporary service in the town.
The county is seeking the latest analysis because a smaller study done earlier this year revealed financial problems at most of the squads.
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