Is KAMP sustainable? Preston County Commission planning to meet
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KINGWOOD - Preston County Commissioners are planning to convene a meeting with the board and members of KAMP Ambulance in an attempt to determine if the EMS squad is sustainable.
KAMP, one of the oldest ambulance squads in the county, recently reduced hours and has cut shifts and has repeatedly sought help to cover its operational costs. If KAMP were to close, the immediate effect would be a significant gap in EMS coverage for a large portion of the county, compounding an already fragile EMS system.
During their Tuesday meeting, commissioners approved $12,500 to cover KAMP’s payroll and help them maintain 24-hour service through Nov. 14. In February, they approved $25,568 to help with insurance and payments on their ambulances. KAMP currently has outstanding debts, totaling $350,000.
KAMP is not the only ambulance squad that has faced a lack of funding over the years. A shortage of funds has been an ongoing problem for all of the county’s EMS services and has led to some squads to permanently close their doors.
– In 2014, Valley Ambulance ended services. At that time, Dan Lusier, former board of directors member of the squad, estimated the ambulance squad’s debts to be between $40,000 and $50,000.
– In February 2021, Mountaineer Ambulance permanently closed and KAMP took over its service areas. The ambulance squad closed its doors due to a lack of volunteers and a lack of funding.
– Tunnelton Community Ambulance Service closed Nov. 2, 2021, after 50 years of service, citing a lack of volunteers, inability to afford paid crews, and county guidelines.
– In May 2024, Rowlesburg Volunteer Ambulance Service stopped service after more than 50 years of operation, citing difficulty finding volunteers, state requirements and a lack of funding.
Preston County commissioners who saw the EMS ordinance as a possible way to keep the ambulance squads on the road are now facing questions from the public about the fee. A large number of FOIAs has been received from county residents questioning the ordinance.
The EMS fee was adopted as a supplement to other funds received from insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. According to the ordinance, the money goes into a dedicated fund to support EMS needs across the county, including equipment and operational expenses.
"The proceeds from the Special Emergency Medical Services Fee shall be deposited into a dedicated fund held by the Sheriff of Preston County. The County Commission recognizes that this fee will not fully fund emergency medical services but is intended to support and maintain reliable EMS coverage throughout Preston County. Funds shall be used, at the discretion of the County Commission, for expenses, including but not limited to personnel, equipment, vehicles, supplies, and operational costs, as well as billing and administration Of the program. Any funds not expended in a fiscal year shall remain in the dedicated fund and may be used in subsequent fiscal years," according to the ordinance.