By Andrew Harp
The Evening News and the Tribune
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Heartland Ambulance Service will operate for 30 more days in Clark County as a longer-term contract is worked out.
Clark County Commissioners approved Thursday the 30-day extension, ending Nov. 21, in order to work out a long-term contract with the Muncie-based company.
In August, the county added three more ambulances, for a total of seven, provided by Heartland shortly after they began service. It costs $230,000 a month. The current contract with Heartland expires by the end of October, hence the extension.
Commissioners President Bryan Glover said they’re hoping to meet with the Clark County Council on Nov. 18 to discuss an appropriation for this contract, leaning toward the three-year range.
Doug Bentfield, administrator at the Clark County Health Department, said this time will be important to try and find an even longer-term solution for EMS in the county, whatever that might be.
“Ambulance service in Clark County is obviously changing,” he said.
This came after New Chapel EMS was determined to be incapable of fulfilling the terms of is contracts due to a loss of staff members once the company lost its contract with Floyd County due to losing credibility after the former CEO, Jamey Noel, was arrested and eventually sentenced to 15 years in prison for multiple crimes including theft and tax evasion.
The recommendation for the extension was given by the EMS committee that has been meeting and discussing the future of EMS service in the county.
However, the committee also recommended that the long-term contract contain a clause that the county can cancel the contract with no cost at least 120 days in advance.
Clark County Health Officer Dr. Eric Yazel, who is on the EMS committee, said this clause has nothing to do with the satisfaction of Heartland, it simply gives the county flexibility and stability.
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