Ambulance call volume rises; Board approves vehicle remount quotes and FY27 pay increases

Ambulance Director Jordan Wright told the Washington County Board of Supervisors on July 14 that Ambulance Services handled 2,842 calls in the past year, an increase of 101 calls compared with the prior year, and reported Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) net revenue of $309,039.57.

Wright gave a ZIP-code breakdown of responses (for example, Washington—1,616 responses; Kalona—390; Wellman—278) and identified the six busiest dates as July 8, Aug. 16, Nov. 19, Dec. 2, May 20 and June 30 (each with 15 calls). He said Tuesdays were the busiest weekday and midnight and 4:00 a.m. were the busiest hours (174 calls each).

Wright presented cost estimates to remount two existing ambulances on new chassis—approximately $286,000 each. Vendor estimates cited in the meeting: Life Line $285,360; Foster Coach $286,674. He stated a preference for the original manufacturer to ease parts availability. The Board approved the quotes on motion by Chair Jack Seward Jr., seconded by Marcus Fedler.

The Board also approved FY27 pay level increases for Washington County Ambulance Services. Two proposed job descriptions—Washington County Clinical Educator and Washington County Medical Director for Ambulance Services—were tabled pending review by Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., and were not approved.

The Ambulance report and approvals were acknowledged during the Board's regular session; the Ambulance Services report is on file with the Auditor's office.