Constituting an emergency: No path forward with Bruceton Community Ambulance Service
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KINGWOOD - Preston County could be losing another ambulance service.
Commission President Hunter Thomas said he does not believe there was a path forward with Bruceton Community Ambulance Service.
"I don’t believe the ambulance service is the best stewards for the dollars," he said. "Despite trying to make contact, the commission hasn’t received any information from BCAS either by email or by phone. We went out on a limb for them and they cut off all contact with us. We asked about insurance and then found they have had no insurance or workers comp for a long time. They’ve burned their bridges with me. I don’t believe there is any path forward with them."
Following its first operational suspension, Bruceton Community Ambulance Service received $15,000 in county assistance to help resume operations. This assistance came from county funds separate from EMS ordinance revenue. During the funding request, agency representatives stated that operations would resume immediately and continue for 30 days while the agency began collecting payments on outstanding ambulance bills, according to a news release.
Within two weeks, Bruceton’s operations were unexpectedly suspended again because the agency lacked valid automobile insurance. The agency advised the commission that it was working to obtain a new policy. Information subsequently provided to the commission indicated that the previous policy had been canceled for nonpayment and that a civil lawsuit had been filed seeking payment of outstanding insurance premiums.
The commission requested financial and operational documents from BCAS as the county prepares to begin distributing EMS ordinance funds. The commission also requested a 90-day continuity of operations plan explaining how the agency would stabilize its operations and maintain reliable service. Neither the requested documentation nor the plan has been provided. Follow up questions seeking a detailed explanation of the suspension and insurance lapse also remain unanswered, according to the news release.
The commission has a responsibility to manage public funds carefully, ensure the county assistance is used for its intended purposes, and maintain appropriate financial oversight. The requested information is needed to evaluate the agency’s financial condition, ability to sustain operations, and future funding needs.
The lack of response raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability and operational oversight. Maintaining insurance coverage, meeting state requirements, and overseeing daily operations remain the responsibility of Bruceton’s leadership.
EMS Ordinance Director Brian LaRue said Terra Alta has been covering for Bruceton, and requested $6,920.73 to cover their expenses. He said they would continue covering for Bruceton through next week.
EMS Director Henry McDonald said the one of the new county ambulances was fully staffed and interviews for staff for the second ambulance were taking place next week.
"I want to ask the commission to consider joining the State EMS Coalition. I’ve been an individual member since I started this job. It would cost $230 a year for dues for the two county ambulances," he said.
Commissioners then voted to work with legal council and send a certified letter to the Ambulance Squad.
Commissioners also responded to a recent social media post that questioned the timely processing of EMS fee payments and suggested residents awaiting fee reviews remained "under threat off delinquency penalties." The post was not an official county communication.
Payment processing has been current since Oct. 30 and now totals more than a half million dollars.
Commissioners voted to wave late and delinquent fees for the current billing until Dec. 31.
In other business, Brian Davis told commissioners he has been attending meetings since April. He said he has submitted four administrative filings, and filed numerous FOIA requests, along with detailed letters and written questions to county officials.
"Although some information has been obtained …, my information has been obtained through separate public records request and my correspondence has largely gone unanswered directly," he said.
Davis said McDonald told him the county commission meeting minutes were not intended to serve as comprehensive operational or financial reports. He said recent FOIA responses have provided information concerning EMS fee collections, however important matters remain regarding legal custody of EMS fee proceeds; authority governing collection and deposit procedures; delegation of financial responsibilities; reconciliation of collections with reported fund balances; and documentation supporting record keeping, signature authority and custody of public funds.
No action was taken.
In other business, commissioners:
– Voted to accept the only bid received for five generators for PSD-4. B.C. Allen Co. bid $528,670 for the generators.
– Tabled a FOIA police review until the next meeting.
– Approved to formally oppose the development of the MARL project going through the county.
The next meeting of the Preston County Commission will be at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 17.