Clarksville Demands County Funding for Ambulance Service Amid Concerns Over Response Times

Months after a political candidate's collapse at a polling location highlighted issues with ambulance response times in Clarksville, Kentucky, the town council is now pushing for Clark County to cover the cost of its own emergency medical services. The council claims it is not receiving adequate service from the current provider, New Chapel EMS, and is seeking a refund of the 3,000 it pays the county annually for the contract.

Clarksville Seeks County Funding to Address Ambulance Response Time Crisis

Clarksville Residents Suffer Lengthy Waits for Ambulances

Clarksville, a major urban center in Clark County, has seen a concerning increase in ambulance response times over the past three months. The town's average response time has risen from 10 minutes and 40 seconds to 11 minutes and 30 seconds, a nearly one-minute increase that the council deems unacceptable. This issue came to a head in November when a 911 caller reported a man had collapsed and hit his head, but it took 15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from the neighboring town of Charlestown.The council president, Ryan Ramsey, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current level of service, stating, "I don't think so, and according to our fire department and our fire chief that's still not acceptable response times." The council believes it is not getting its money's worth, given the 3,000 it pays Clark County annually to cover its portion of the New Chapel EMS contract.

Concerns Over New Chapel EMS's Ability to Provide Adequate Care

The council's concerns extend beyond just response times. Council Vice President Bob McEwen recounted a recent incident where he witnessed New Chapel EMS personnel arriving on the scene without the necessary equipment, such as a backboard, to properly care for a patient with a suspected broken shoulder.Clark County Health Officer Eric Yazel acknowledged that he has not seen a specific complaint like this, but he is not surprised it may have occurred. Yazel expressed his own worries about New Chapel EMS's long-term viability, stating, "A more than 10-minute average response time in Clarksville is too long."

Clarksville Explores Establishing Its Own Ambulance Service

Faced with these challenges, Clarksville is exploring the possibility of establishing its own ambulance service. The fire chief has informed the council that starting an ambulance service with three trucks would cost .5 million to get off the ground. While the town acknowledges it does not have the financial resources to cover this cost, it is determined to find a way to make it work.Council President Ramsey stated, "We would do whatever it takes, we would find a way to make it work." The council is now seeking a refund of the 3,000 it pays Clark County annually for the New Chapel EMS contract, hoping to use those funds as a starting point for establishing its own emergency medical services.

County Officials Respond to Clarksville's Demands

The county has acknowledged receiving Clarksville's letter outlining its concerns and demands. The county attorney has indicated that the letter was received two weeks ago and has directed WAVE to contact the county council regarding the potential refund of Clarksville's ambulance funding.As the situation continues to unfold, Clarksville's residents remain concerned about the reliability and quality of their emergency medical services. The town's council is determined to find a solution, whether it be through securing county funding or establishing its own ambulance service, to ensure its citizens receive the prompt and reliable care they deserve.