February 7, 2008
Reifsnyder Resigns Ambulance Position

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

County Manager John Lovelady reported at the February 4 County Commission meeting about the meeting held January 30 with representatives of both ambulance services in the northern part of Lincoln County.

In the January 30 meeting between the ambulance groups, Lovelady said there was “disagreement among the people as to what the perceived problems might be and some finger pointing as to whose fault it was.” However, a list of the problems was compiled at the meeting by Charles Reifsynder, Lincoln County Ambulance Coordinator from Pioche. The list was given to the Coordinator of the Meadow Valley Ambulance, Ann Smith, and the Lincoln County Ambulance Association to both work on. Lovelady said in the January meeting the Meadow Valley Volunteer Ambulance Association suggested that the system continue as is at present and give them six months to get the system running efficiently.

Charles Reifsynder resigned his position as volunteer coordinator of the Lincoln County Ambulance Association, effectively immediately, during the meeting of the County Commissioners February 4.

In a prepared statement read to members of the board, Reifsynder stated the problems between the two ambulance groups in the northern part of Lincoln County have, “recently deteriorated to one of personal agendas and I, as well as others, have fallen victim to personal attacks from individuals who are not even affiliated with Pioche ambulance service.” He also said he felt there might never be, “complete support from the County Commission for the coordinators of the ambulance services within Lincoln County,” Reifsynder said the verbal attacks toward the coordinators from these individuals are becoming more personal with each meeting.”

However, in his remarks he did say that he will continue to work with the system and to train new EMTs and will continue to provide any help he could to the service.”

At an earlier Commission Meeting both Lincoln County Ambulance in Pioche and Meadow Valley Ambulance had approached the Commissioners asking their help in solving a number of problems and resolving contention that was affecting ambulance service in the northern end of the county.

On January 21, Commissioners suggested the two groups get together and try to develop a list of things that needed to be fixed and make a presentation to the Commission on February 19.

Commissioners have said they felt the ambulance system in the northern part should have an overall administrator who would be in charge of coordinating the services in Pioche, Panaca and Caliente. Pahranagat Valley has their own separate service running out of the Volunteer Fire Department in Alamo and is operating very efficiently and would not be under the direction of a separate administrator.

Lovelady said he has met with Dr. Katschke, County Medical Director, with management people at the Grover C. Dils Medical Center to “get information regarding all aspects of the ambulance service and problems that are perceived and possible solutions.” He said a couple of proposals should be ready to present as a discussion/action item on the Commission agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting February 19.