Prior to July 2022, Jefferson County’s ambulance services operated with a mix of volunteer EMTs, ambulances owned by the 7 volunteer fire companies, and full-time medics and EMTs employed by the county’s Emergency Services Agency (ESA). The ESA was structured as a public corporation, with oversight by a 7-member board appointed by the County Commission. Read the Full Story >>
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Jefferson County Ambulance Services Now Operating As County Department
As of 8 am on March 1, the Jefferson County Commission officially took on responsibility for ambulance services in the county. Read the Full Story >>
County Commission Begins 2023 With Many Disagreements
Jefferson County Commission starts 2023 with several disagreements and big change ahead. Read the Full Story >>
John Nissel Resigns As Jefferson County Administrator
Jefferson County Administrator John Nissel announced his resignation effective January 27, 2023. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Purchases Ambulances
The Jefferson County Commission takes additional steps to reorganize the county's EMS services. The Commission approved plans to purchase 10 ambulances from volunteer companies, but questions on locations, organization, and budget still need answers. Read the Full Story >>
A New County Ambulance Service
At their May 19 meeting, the Commissioners voted unanimously to direct the County Administrator, John Nissel, to develop a plan to create a County Ambulance Service, which would include the County owning and operating all ambulances. Read the Full Story >>
Ambulance Proposal Raises Alarms — Inside the Fitch EMS Report
Consultants' study recommends reductions in ambulance service, accuracy of data questioned. County Commission eager to proceed, citizens raise multiple concerns. Read the Full Story >>
Ambulance Response Times Explained
The report from Fitch & Associates recommends the adoption of standards from CFAI (Commission on Fire Accreditation International). Following the “rural” standards, the report indicates that the "goal time" for EMS unit response (turnout + travel) would be 15 minutes (the "benchmark"). The same standard also indicates an acceptable time of 19 minutes, 42 seconds. Read the Full Story >>
A Timeline of the Fitch EMS Report
Fitch & Associates is a consulting firm with many years of experience in assisting local governments in evaluating and improving both fire and emergency medical services. The County Commission contracted with Fitch in May of 2021 for a very limited review of the county’s EMS system — a basic analysis of ambulance response data. There Read the Full Story >>
Chair of Emergency Services Board Resigns over Commission Action
Chris Conroy, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency (JCESA), has resigned — citing the decision to lower the fee as an “act of malfeasance” on the part of the Commission. Read the Full Story >>
Ambulance Fee Reduction Leaves Questions Unanswered
The Jefferson County Commission is discussing a reduction in the ambulance fee. Read the Full Story >>