Commissioners welcome Parkview, look for new 911 and EMA directors

Fulton County Commissioners welcomed Parkview EMS to the community on Monday – its first day as the county's new ambulance service provider.

Commissioner Rick Ranstead noted that the transition from the county's former provider, Lutheran EMS, occurred during morning shift changes. He thanked Lutheran personnel for being the county's "boots on the ground" in providing the service for nearly nine years, beginning in December 2015.

"They've got two of the ambulances fully staffed," Ranstead said of Parkview. "They've got an ambulance stationed at Akron, but they've not got it fully staffed yet. They hope to have it staffed within the next couple of weeks."

Other ambulances are stationed in Rochester and Kewanna. Additionally, the county has specified that there be at least two paramedics in the county at all times.

Barry Ritter, co-founder of Ritter Strategic Services, detailed one change citizens might notice when calling 911.

"Telecommunicators here will ask the initial questions and then they will conference in Parkview dispatch center," he said, adding Parkview will dispatch the ambulances as part of its overall fleet. "Telecommunicators here will have the option, depending on the severity on the call, to remain on the line or not."

He added it's an accredited dispatch center, providing the same level of service. Parkview has personnel at the county's dispatch center for the transition. 

"We'll monitor and keep you informed as to how it goes," Ritter told commissioners.

Commissioners went on to sign a new contract with Ritter Strategic Service to assist in the hiring of a new 911 director and Emergency Management Agency director. Gail Karas retires from both positions, effective Friday, July 5.

The new contract, which is not to exceed $109,200 or 728 hours at $150 per hour, is above and beyond the county's original contract with Ritter Strategic Services to assist in the ambulance service provider process. 

"That is a scalable scope of work, depending on the extent to which training would need to take place for a new 911 director," Ritter said. "That's all determined upon the skills and qualifications of the individual that is appointed as the 911 director. The other part of that is the job description, recruiting and hiring of a new EMA director for the county."

The contract also includes a third section for any special projects identified in the hiring process. It was unanimously approved by commissioners after being reviewed by County Attorney Holli Shorter-Pifer.

Ritter is to return to commissioners' meeting next month to provide further updates on the new ambulance service.