Columbia County directs staff to produce EMS plan and asks hospital authority to order three ambulances

The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners voted to ask the Lakeshore Hospital Authority to order three ambulances and directed staff to return at the next board meeting with a plan for how the county might expand emergency-medical services.

The action followed a briefing by AmeriPro EMS operations staff, who told the board the contractor has increased deployments to about seven ambulances at peak load and about five ambulances in normal around-the-clock coverage. Jeff Avinger, AmeriPro director of operations, said the company has hired paramedics and EMTs and is negotiating a lease for a new station to close coverage gaps. "Since that meeting, we've increased to now we're at 7 at peak load, 5 and a half around the clock," Avinger said.

AmeriPro staff presented operational metrics the board used as the basis for discussion: urban response performance improved to roughly 86 percent; rural coverage performance was reported around 71 percent. Commissioners and AmeriPro staff discussed station siting using heat maps, naming potential locations such as Quentin Street, Clinton Street and a site near Ring Power Court to better distribute units. AmeriPro staff also cited mutual‑aid arrangements with neighboring counties as a backup when local assets are unavailable.

Several commissioners pressed for options the county could take if private contracting proved unsatisfactory. County staff presented preliminary operating estimates and scenario planning considerations, noting a first‑year operating budget could be substantial and that acquisition of vehicles and staffing models would affect subsidy levels and transport revenue assumptions. A county staff member summarized the financial trade-offs without committing to a single cost figure.

Commissioner Kevin Parnell moved that staff prepare and return with a plan at the next meeting that would (1) lay out budget and operational options for county provision of EMS and (2) give the Lakeshore Hospital Authority permission to order three ambulances for use in Columbia County. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Public commenters during the meeting criticized prior providers and urged quick action; one member of the public said the previous contractor had provided poor care and slow follow‑up. Another commenter said AmeriPro had a poor regional reputation; AmeriPro representatives disputed that assessment and highlighted recent operational improvements. County staff said they will produce the requested plan and bring back budget details and contractual options at the next meeting.

Next steps: staff will prepare the requested plan and provide the board a recommendation and budget model at the next regular meeting; if Lakeshore Hospital Authority agrees to purchase the ambulances, the board said it would incorporate that purchase into the county's planning and the upcoming budget process.