Legislature advances ambulance service plans

Legislature advances ambulance service plans

SCHUYLER COUNTY--At the Schuyler County Legislator's Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 11, legislators approved a resolution to "create and fill one full-time emergency medical services coordinator position." This decision enables the county to provide "operational support and expertise" to Schuyler Hospital and Cayuga Health Systems relating to the legislature's intention to "enter into a contract with Schuyler Hospital and Cayuga Health Systems to provide ambulance services in the county."
The impetus driving these actions has roots in a decision by Tyrone's ambulance corps to cease operations. Once Tyrone made that announcement, an EMS Sustainability Committee was formed, which included representation from county ambulance corps, including the Schuyler County Volunteer Ambulance Association (SCVAA). During discussions, response times for SCVAA were determined to be below average.
"This made it urgent for my office," said County Administrator Fonda Chronis. "Response time should be 90 percent of calls in nine minutes. We have a lake in the middle of our county, so we're rounding up and look for a 10-minute response time for 90 percent of the calls. Our current model does not meet this standard."
Response times and the number of calls requiring mutual aid in the county vary depending on which system pulls the report. Likewise, the number of emergency calls and transport calls varies, depending on the source.
Before deciding to pursue a relationship with Cayuga Health System, legislators reviewed proposals from: Cayuga Health Systems, the county, and SCVAA.
According to a summary of the proposals, the county-run system would cost $750,000 in capital expenditures with a three-year estimate for operational costs estimated to be approximately $2.04 million. Cayuga Health Systems' proposal estimates $500,000 in capital costs and a three-year operational cost of $783,503, which will actually be paid in full in year two. SCVAA's initial proposal has zero capital expense and three-year operational costs at approximately $1.57 million.
SCVAA's second proposal included zero operating costs to the county, no capital expense, and would work in tandem with Cayuga Health System. In this proposal, SCVAA would be the first ambulance called for 911 emergencies in the towns of Reading, Dix, and some areas of Hector. SCVAA would provide mutual aid for Valois, Logan, some areas of Hector, Dundee, and the remaining areas of Schuyler County.
Regardless of which proposal is selected, capital expenses will be covered by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act with operational costs coming from the county's operating budget. Currently, the county does not support the SCVAA, although Chronis explained that the association's building is on county property and the SCVAA is allowed to access fuel from the county's fuel facility.
"We were not invited to meet with the legislators, but we did respond to questions about the second proposal," said Steve Williams, vice president at the SCVAA. "I'm not sure where it stands at this point. We would be happy to enter into a contract with the county that would spell out expectations, including having county representation on our board. Right now, we don't have a contract with the county. We just provide the service."
The Cayuga Health Systems proposal does not reflect a partnership with SCVAA and identified four proposed ambulance stations: EMT services provided at the Valois-Logan-Hector Volunteer Fire Company; EMT Service with 12-hour day shifts in Watkins Glen; 24-hour Paramedic Service offered in Tyrone; and 24-hour paramedic service offered in Odessa.
"It's important that the two organizations work together," said Michael Lausell, legislator from Hector. "We can work with Cayuga Health, but we should not harm the Schuyler Ambulance Association. I'd prefer that we not meddle in the local economy. I'm not sure that the largest non-profit needs our help, and if it was a good business decision, I'm surprised Cayuga Health waited this long to do it."
"A relationship with Cayuga Health is a partnership with two large organizations who will work together to solve a problem," said Chronis, referring to a collaboration between the county and Cayuga Health Systems. "Cayuga Health can offer significant benefits, all the tools employees will need to be successful, including good pay and benefits, and we've been assured billing will be through Schuyler Hospital."
A public hearing is not required for this decision, and Chronis indicated he does not expect one at this juncture. Although no contract has been officially signed with Cayuga Health Systems, a draft contract is expected imminently, and background work is moving forward.
"All four ambulances have been identified," said Chronis, noting that checks have been cut for two and lettering has been approved. "Employee interviewing is underway, and the operations team is putting the pieces together."
When asked what the future holds for SCVAA, Williams wasn't sure.
"It will be hard to sustain SCVAA if we're not the first one called," said Williams. "I will do my very best to find a way to keep us in business, because in year three, when Cayuga Health is supposed to take over the costs, I predict they will come back to the county to renegotiate. Based on an independent audit that was completed for us, the promises being offered will be hard to keep unless Cayuga Health Systems is willing to take a significant loss."