HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1243Craig & Cathy Sparks, owners of Calvary Medical Transport, based out of Winston-
Salem, NC.
Jackson said CMT desired to operate a basic life support ambulance service (two
units) in the county twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. When asked if the
company would be willing to work towards paramedic level transports, Jackson said it
was his understanding CMT would be agreeable.
Sparks said the company had been in business for over five years, and Iredell
County would be the first expansion. He said that if Iredell County wanted an advanced
level of services, the company would comply.
Commissioner Johnson said recently a representative of NuCare Ambulance
visited him and expressed concerns about another carrier in the county. He asked if Mr.
Sparks was satisfied with the call volume, and if a "break-even point" had been
determined. Johnson said he was for the "free market," but he wanted to be upfront
about the matter. He said there were concerns about financial hardships falling on both
companies, if there wasn't enough call volume, and then each of them discontinuing the
services which would necessitate the county to supply the transports.
Sparks mentioned the "baby boomers," and Lake Norman being a retirement
community. He said advanced life support transports would really increase in the future,
and his company wanted to supply the basic services. Mr. Sparks said his agency
provided all of the Forsyth County Hospice transports, and the company could provide
this same service in Iredell. He said CMT operated 12 ambulances in Forsyth and
provided backup for 911, especially the "slip and fall" calls.
Commissioner Johnson asked about mutual aid understandings/agreements
between the emergency providers. He also asked if the county would have to provide
oversight for Calvary, similar to NuCare.
Jackson said the EMS plan contained information about mutual aid. He said,
however, Iredell County did not have franchises with the private ambulance carriers. In
regards to oversight, he said yes, Calvary would have to operate up to the county's
standards.
Commissioner Williams asked, due to there not being a franchise, what was
needed from the county.
Sparks said either the county manager or the EMS Director needed to sign -off
on the state form. He said Calvary could begin services in 90-120 days. Additionally,
he said the county's EMS department and NuCare would not be competing with Calvary
for employees. He said Calvary primarily hired recent graduates or students, and the
company paid tuition for those seeking advanced degrees. Mr. Sparks said that in the
past five years, the company had paid the tuition for 16 employees seeking paramedic
status and for 2 people who became physician's assistants.
Commissioner Robertson asked the downside of the request.
Jackson said there was no guarantee that two private companies could survive.
Commissioner Johnson asked if an agreement could be drafted where there
would be advance notice if the company needed to discontinue services.
Jackson said a 60 -day notice to the county from the company could be required
along with a 60 -day notice from the county to the company, if the process wasn't
working.
Commissioner Williams asked why a franchise wasn't used.