County Commission approves new ambulance purchase
The purchase of a nearly-new ambulance was approved Monday by Marion County Commission contingent on it passing the ambulance director's inspection.
The planned, budgeted purchase will allow an older ambulance, a 1991 backup unit used by Marion EMS, to be traded for a 2006 demonstrator for $94,495. The new unit will be used by Marion EMS.
Darryl Thiesen, director of emergency medical services, said he will have an opportunity to see the unit this weekend when he attends a seminar in Overland Park.
In other department business:
- The commission may consider using a collection agency to assist the ambulance department in collecting fees from individuals.
Thiesen reported the agency would charge 28 percent of the amount collected and had a 25 percent collection rate. It was not divulged if a contract or minimum fee was required.
- Stuart Funk of Florence EMS crew recently was certified as a paramedic.
- There were 100 ambulance runs in July. Of those runs, 30 were in Marion, 26 in Hillsboro, 20 in Peabody, 15 in Tampa, seven in Florence, and two times the Marion backup unit was called.
There were 28 medical emergencies, 23 no transport, 13 standby, 11 falls, eight transfers, five each motor vehicle accident and turn around (not needed), four cardiac, and three other.
Lincolnville first responders had seven runs and Goessel had six. Marion rescue unit was called one time.
So far this year, there have been 585 ambulance runs.
- The commission reviewed billing, collections, and write-offs. Thiesen explained that some write-offs cannot be helped because insurance companies and Medicare will allow a certain amount per run and the remainder has be to be written off by the county.
He assured the commission that every effort is made to collect outstanding debt from individuals.
- Thiesen will: instruct an emergency medical technician class at Butler Community College of Marion beginning Monday, attend a trauma review at Wesley Medical Center Aug. 25, and assist with a sports injury management class Aug. 28 at Centre High School.
