Preston commission still fielding EMS feedback

KNGWOOD – A discussion about the EMS ordinance turned emotional when Preston County Commission President Hunter Thomas talked about the work that went into putting the ordinance together.

"We put a lot of work into our EMS ordinance before passing it," he said. "We had no assistance from the federal government and little from the state. We could have a levy to be voted on and have it pass and not pass the next time or have an ordinance passed by the commission. I stand by what we did. We felt it was the best option. This has been hard. People have attacked my family and me over this. … I encourage everyone to reach out to your state and federal government and ask them to provide support."

Thomas said this is the first year for the EMS fee and some mistakes have been made. He said some of them are from information from the Secretary of State that include businesses that are closed. He said a large mistake the commission made on the bills was that they didn’t have a physical address on them.

"I apologize for that mistake," he said. "We made it on our end."

Commissioner Samantha Stone said not all of the feedback has been negative. She said she has had people who have told her this ordinance has been needed for a long time.

"We have code we must comply with. This is the only way we can get funds. The stress on EMS in this county is real. The state requires five ambulances for emergency use only. When they are taken away for transport, they are not on-duty to respond for emergencies."

She said it is the responsibility of the commission to provide EMS service and they are doing their best to provide it. Stone said "every bit of the money collected from the fees will go where it should go."

In other business, commissioners approved the hiring of Jaymes Short as a utility officer for the Preston County Sheriff’s Office. His start date will be Sept. 16 and his rate of pay will be $16.84 an hour during a three-month probation period then it will be $35,000 per year.

Commissioners declared August as West Virginia Goes Purple month. West Virginia Goes Purple is a movement of awareness, prevention, recovery, healing and hope that unites communities across the state during National Recovery Month for opioid and substance abuse.

In 2023, West Virginia made history by becoming the first state in the nation to unite all 55 counties and communities together as one voice for recovery.

Commissioners also proclaimed Preston County as a Stroke Smart County. Charles Rinkes, Stroke and Trauma Coordinator for Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital, talked about risk factors, and said the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. – Balance problems or dizziness, Eyes and vision changes, Face drooping, Arm or leg weakness, Speech difficulty or sensory changes and Time to call 911 serves as a simple and effective tool to help the public recognize the most common signs of a stroke.

The next meeting of the Preston County Commission will be at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 18.