County approves $1.94M contract to add ALS ambulance staffing in outlying stations

Doña Ana County commissioners voted to approve a one‑year contract with Elite Medical Services for $1,935,171 to staff and equip advanced life support (ALS) ambulance service at two county fire stations, addressing paramedic coverage gaps in outlying areas.

Interim Fire Chief Andy Bowen told the board the contract will station paramedics with county crews in Rincon and the Jetport (and eventually Hatch) to provide ALS care where paramedic intercepts are not available. Bowen said the contract helps bridge a staffing shortfall while the county recruits single‑role paramedics and builds its internal training academies. He said the county is also pursuing a pharmacy license to carry ALS medications and that the service would focus on 911 response rather than interfacility transfers.

Bowen said the contract term is one year but could be shortened depending on hiring success; he described a hoped‑for start around Feb. 1 and told commissioners the contractor is already operating in similar arrangements in other parts of the county. Commissioners asked about contract length, start date and operational scope; the board approved the contract by roll call. The item was presented as using a procurement exemption under New Mexico State Procurement Code 13‑1‑98.1(b.

Approval included a roll‑call vote in which commissioners supported the contract; staff said the arrangement would immediately add staffing capacity for two ambulances in outlying areas and could permit reopening a previously closed station if recruitment proceeds.