February 28, 2008
County Commission to Advertise for Ambulance Service Administrator

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Things have unraveled to some degree lately regarding ambulance service in the northern part of Lincoln County. Problems arising between the Lincoln County Ambulance Service, which serves the Pioche area, and the Meadow Valley Volunteer Ambulance Association, serving Caliente and Panaca, resulted in both groups going to the County Commission requesting help. The problems addressed included administrative and procedural issues, as well as, some personality conflicts.

In early February, County Commissioners asked both ambulance groups to draw up a list of issues to be addressed under the direction of the Commissioners. The list was presented at the Commissioners’ regular meeting on February 19. Some of the difficulties between the Lincoln County Ambulance and the Meadow Valley Ambulance Association, Commissioner Mathews stated, revolve around, “a coordinator was appointed and a president elected and they didn’t quite know where their responsibilities settled.”

After reviewing the list, Commissioners feel there is a need for an overall administrator. An administrator would be responsible for answering questions, making decisions, ensuring everything is up to code and current, including medications, maintaining service schedules for vehicles, giving directions and seeing that policies and procedures are being met. “To make sure things are working right,” Mathews said.

Each ambulance group would still be able to elect their own officials that would, Mathews suggested, “Interface with the administrator, who is in turn accountable to the Commissioners.” The elected officials would be the leaders of the volunteers who make up the ambulance services. That way, he said, “We (the Commissioners) have accountability, but the volunteers also have representation.”

After much discussion, Commissioners decided to advertise for a Letter of Interest and Qualifications for the Administrator’s position. Hopes are to have responses by the March 3 Commission meeting.