SALYERSVILLE – Magoffin County officially received a certificate of need for ambulance services, which starts the process of the county obtaining a new ambulance service.
Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matt Wireman explained to the Independent that they had already been given notice that they would receive the certificate of need after 40 days unless it was challenged. As of this past Sunday, 40 days had passed and on Tuesday they were notified the county had been issued a certificate of need.
Now, the county has 90 days to go through the licensing process or the request for proposals process and submit an application.
Wireman and Salyersville Mayor James “Pete” Shepherd are in talks to discuss the possibility of this being a joint venture between the city and county, and Wireman said he is also discussing the potential of having a private carrier to operate under the county’s certificate of need, but Magoffin County would have a say in how that is operated.
After they go through the current process, the state will have another period of time to issue a license, with the entire process expected to take approximately six months.
Wireman assured that he is looking at the economic feasibility, as well as potential service quality, noting that it may be more feasible to request proposals and have another established company to be contracted for ambulance services, noting the current shortages of workers and vehicles for reasons the county starting its own ambulance service – at least for the time being – may not be the most economical.
He said the fiscal court will more than likely have a special-called meeting next week to issue a request for proposals, but more will be released as information becomes available regarding this process.
Wireman also noted that he has talked to Lifeguard Ambulance Services, who have vowed to not pull their ambulances out of the county until Magoffin has an ambulance service established. Lifeguard told Wireman they will continue to provide as much ambulance coverage as they can, which is what they have already been doing, during this process.
“It’s a lot, but we’re right now kicking it off and in the next six or seven months Magoffin County will finally have a say in its ambulance services,” Wireman said.
In other news, Wireman said the county’s 911 service is finally eligible to start receiving the mobile 911 funding, which until now has been going to the Kentucky State Police Pikeville Post. Magoffin will receive their first deposit of the money next week and Wireman said he hopes they will be able to hire another full-time dispatcher.
