EMS Corp. agrees to extension

WALLACE — The ongoing efforts between the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Shoshone County Emergency Medical Services Corporation to overhaul the county’s ambulatory services continued this week when the EMS Corp. agreed to extend their contract through September.

It was early March when the corporation submitted a letter of termination for the end of May to the BOCC, which really got the ball rolling for the commissioners.

The BOCC had motioned to request an extension from the EMS Corp. last week, which the EMS Corp. granted, but with the added caveat that they would need $10,000 per month for the next four months to continue their normal contractual operations, an increase of $5,000 from what they receive from the county monthly.

According to representatives, the EMS Corp. is currently operating while being $125,000 in debt and that number would only continue to increase without the added funds.

“Our goal is to not get any further in the hole,” said Jerry Brantz, EMS Corp. board member. “We’re not asking for over and above, we’re asking that you don’t let us go in the hole any further.”

The extension of the contract keeps the EMS Corp. intact for the next four months and in exchange, the EMS Corp. has maintained the mandatory certifications necessary to operate ambulance services and performed administrative/fiscal duties such as billings, collections, record keeping, ambulance personnel training, medical supply purchasing and vehicle maintenance.

Over the coming four months, the BOCC will figure out their plans to replace the EMS Corp., including the exploration of an ambulance district.

Shoshone County Clerk Tamie Eberhard did say that a petition had been filed to sponsor an ambulance district and the required signatures were being gathered.

According to Idaho code, to create a taxing district, the BOCC would need to see a signed petition with 50 signatures from registered property owners in good standing, and then it would need to be discussed publicly before a decision could be made.

The county will also need to come up with a name for the proposed district, as well as outline its boundaries.

Then they would begin a series of applications to form the district.

The News-Press will seek full details on the proposed ambulance district in the coming weeks.

During this planning period, Shoshone County — and some Kootenai County — residents should not worry about a drop in ambulance coverage or a decrease in quality of service.

The News-Press will continue to follow any upcoming meetings as a resolution is sought.