Latest news with #RescueSquad
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Entrepreneurial Center, Rescue Squad to expand with new funding
May 30—The Morgan County Legislative Delegation, the Morgan County Rescue Squad, and the Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center will receive more funding after a local bill was passed May 14, the final day of the legislative session. House Bill 581, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, provides for the redistribution of in-lieu-of-tax payments in Morgan County from the Tennessee Valley Authority. It will roughly double the amount the Rescue Squad previously received, and the E-Center will receive in-lieu-of-tax funding for the first time. The local law takes effect Oct. 1. "We wanted to fund something that would grow revenue, and so we're moving that last percentage of the part that we delegate to the Entrepreneurial Center so that they can expand what they're doing around the county in different locations, not just in Decatur," Collins said. With the funding, the E-Center wants to open a location in Hartselle, the Rescue Squad plans to begin construction of a new station, and the legislative delegation plans to acquire a larger office space. "Our goal is to build a new station on the property that was donated and paid for by the county," Rescue Squad Chief Danny Kelso said. TVA makes in-lieu-of-tax payments each month because it is exempt from paying taxes as a government entity. The TVA pays out 5% of its gross profits from power sales each year to the states within its jurisdiction. Law dictates that the amount paid out to the counties exist in separate "pots." The state must split 75% of the payments it receives among the TVA-covered counties. An additional 3% is allocated to these counties per legislation from 2006. The section of the Alabama code dealing with these payments has changed several times to clarify wording and redistribute the money. Collins said HB581 allows for greater transparency about how TVA funding is being distributed within the county. "The main reason for working on that bill right now is it's very confusing how the language is. ... It's convoluted," Collins said. "Confusing is the best word, and we couldn't even understand it." In fiscal 2024, Morgan County received a total of $13.9 million in TVA in-lieu-of-tax funds. The "pot" referenced in the bill — the 3% increase from 2006 — amounted to $503,137.82. Julie Reeves, chief administrative officer of the Morgan County Commission, said that the amount the county receives varies greatly year to year, making it difficult to predict exact amounts for allocation. However, Reeves said fiscal 2025 has trended roughly 6% less than the previous year. If the trend continues, the amount the bill will redistribute starting with fiscal 2026 could total roughly $470,000. The Legislative Delegation will receive the largest portion of this money. HB581 increased its funding from 40% to 45%. Collins said this increase will help provide a larger office space for the delegation. The Rescue Squad will now receive 9% of the funds. In previous years, the squad received between $20,000 and $25,000. Rescue Squad Senior Board Member Tony Weikert said estimates for future funding have been closer to $45,000. The new station will be built on a 3-acre property on Mill Road that the Morgan County Commission helped the squad acquire. "Our station is out of date and not up to code," Kelso said. "It was built in the 1960s, and we've outgrown it." The Rescue Squad wants to break ground by the end of this year or early next year, Weikert said. He hopes a newer station will help the Rescue Squad appear more professional and attract more volunteers. After paying for the building, Kelso said funding would go to updating equipment. As a volunteer organization, Weikert said, the Rescue Squad didn't have any permanent funding to rely on. "We exist off of donations and annual requests from the city and the county and other places, but none of that is guaranteed money because you have to ask for it every year," Weikert said, emphasizing the difference the TVA funding will make. Weikert said he has been talking with state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, about increasing the squad's funding for about a year. "Arthur Orr has always been a champion for us," he said. "... If it hadn't been for Arthur Orr, we wouldn't have any dedicated funding." A major change that HB581 makes from previous law is that the Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center will now receive funding from the TVA payments. The E-Center could receive about $47,000 based on the fiscal 2025 payment estimates. "The thought of the delegation was: This is promoting small business job creation for Morgan County, and that's certainly a good thing that we wanted to support," Orr said. John Joseph, the executive director for the E-Center, said conversations have begun with Hartselle residents about adding a satellite office there. "Hartselle is a very creative, innovative community," Joseph said. "We would absolutely like to partner with them to deliver something that benefits their entrepreneurs and their innovators." Joseph said the E-Center will meet with Hartselle residents and review the services offered to determine the community's greatest need. "A lot depends on if there's additional funding that can come from other places or whether we need to work with what we have," Joseph said. The E-Center has developed connections with Hartselle through its CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Program, which provides local high school students with real-life business experience. Collins is thankful that HB581 passed. The Alabama Legislature's 2025 session concluded with a Senate filibuster from Senators Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, and Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham. Collins said "the last day was very contentious in the Senate, and (Orr) was able to get both of our local bills on the calendar and through the Senate so that we could pass those bills this year," Collins said. HB581 passed in the House on April 29 and in Senate on May 14. — or 256-340-2437
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad honored as top EMS agency
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – The Town of Blacksburg announced its Volunteer Rescue Squad was awarded the prestigious honor of Outstanding Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency by Governor Glenn Youngkin on May 19. During the start of National EMS Week on Monday, Chief David English accepted the award from the governor on behalf of the entire team. John Clair named new chief of Blacksburg Police Department 'The Town offers its congratulations to the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad for receiving this prestigious award for the second time in eight years, said Deputy Town Manager Steve Ross. 'Being recognized a second time demonstrates the outstanding EMS services the Rescue Squad continues to provide our community. Additionally, we are appreciative of all the individuals who volunteer their time to provide this valuable service.' The Outstanding EMS Agency award recognizes local, regional, state, and national EMS agencies for exceptional professionalism, a strong commitment to community service, and excellence in patient care, demonstrated through innovative training programs, public health initiatives, robust community engagement, and leadership. First black Chief of Police of Blacksburg, William 'Bill' Brown remembered 'I'm truly honored to accept this award on behalf of Blacksburg Rescue,' said David English, Chief of Blacksburg Rescue. 'It is a testimony to the dedication and professionalism of our team. In a time when many volunteer agencies are struggling, it's especially meaningful that our all-volunteer rescue squad can achieve this distinction from among the hundreds of other volunteer, career, and combination departments across Virginia.' With 170 active volunteers, the Rescue Squad is a non-profit that provides prehospital emergency services, training, community events, and other public services to Blacksburg, parts of Montgomery County, and other neighboring communities. Blacksburg PD K9 Unit receives ballistic vest donation 'The Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad is a pillar of the Blacksburg community through public education, safety training, and participation in local events. The award underscores the organization's sustained impact and commitment to excellence in emergency medical services.' For more information about the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and its programs, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Grant Town EMS asks Marion County to help replace unsafe gurney
FAIRMONT — Grant Town Emergency Medical Services needs to replace one of its stretchers that's become too dangerous to keep over concerns it could injure a patient. 'It could lead to a potential injury for them or even death,' Austin Boylen, chief financial officer of Grant Town EMS, said. 'When you're four foot in the air and fall over sideways, you can get a really bad head injury.' Grant Town EMS requested funds Wednesday from the Marion County Commission to replace the stretcher. The stretcher in question is currently out of service, being stored in one of the trucks the agency uses. Boylen said the Rescue Squad won't run that truck until they have a replacement. The problem is a bad wheel on the stretcher that's about to fall off. Normally, such a piece would be replaced, but the current model the Rescue Squad has, a Ferno, doesn't have the ability to replace the wheel. The squad wants to move to a Stryker, which does have replaceable parts. Boylen said they looked everywhere to see if they could replace the wheel, but came up short. The current stretcher is eight years old. Boylen said a brand new one was $100,000 but a refurbished one is available for $22,900. There is also a $500 shipping charge and $2,500 for installation. Boylen asked if commissioners could help cover the cost of the stretcher. The Rescue Squad doesn't have any donations or grants they use to fund the purchase. Boylen added he is also approaching state and federal legislators for help. Marion County Rescue Squad was sued in 2020 after they dropped a woman's husband while transporting him into Fairmont Regional Medical Center in 2019. The lawsuit alleged the patient had not been properly secured to the gurney. The patient died due to severe brain trauma. The case settled in February. County Commissioners also issued a proclamation honoring National Older Americans Month. Leisha Elliott, executive director of Marion County Senior Citizens Inc., was on hand to accept the proclamation. 'The theme this year is called 'Flip the Script,' and it's just an effort to demonstrate that the senior population still has a lot to offer to the communities that may be of retirement age, but they're in no way retiring from their community,' Elliott said. Elliott said sometimes seniors get pushed aside, treated as if their opinions don't matter because their ideas are outdated. That's the furthest thing from the truth, she said. For many years Marion County Senior Citizens has worked to make sure senior residents can continue living inside their homes by providing services that allow them to maintain independent lives. Elliott is also coming up on one year of leading Marion County Senior Citizens. 'It's been great,' she said. 'There's a lot to learn, the programs can get a little complicated sometimes, but we have a great staff that knows the programs in and out, and we have great support from the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services. They work very hard every day to make sure seniors get the best care possible.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wilkes County Commissioners release statement on rescue squad contract termination
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners would like to respond on the Wilkes Rescue Squad and the action taken in their meeting on May 6, 2025. First they want to thank the Rescue Squad for the service they have provided since 1955. They would like to thank ALL of the 25 Volunteer and 2 Town Fire Departments for all that they do for the citizens of the Great State of Wilkes as well. Without all these men and women, along with our Wilkes EMS, we could not provide the excellent medical care and rescue response that our citizens deserve and depend on. The Rescue Squad was in breach of their contract with Wilkes County for over 7 months. In the fall of 2024, the Wilkes County Medical Director, Dr. Lance Henninger rescinded Wilkes Rescue Squad's authorization to function as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) organization in Wilkes County. This means they cannot function at the advanced level required to be the back-up for Wilkes EMS. This action was the sole decision of the Medical Director, whose license they operate under. Wilkes County had no say in this; it is expressly the Medical Director's decision to make based on his opinion of the ability of Wilkes Rescue Squad to competently, safely, and effectively provide this service due to the lack of ALS qualified members responding for the Squad. As a result, the Squad can no longer provide the back-up service they are contractually obligated to provide, which places them in breach of their contract with the County. Without this license, they CANNOT function at the advanced level required in the contract. Due to this breach, County Attorney Tony Triplett was instructed to contact Wilkes Rescue, advising them that they have thirty (30) days to cure the breach or the contract would be terminated. A thirty (30) day notice was required under the terms of that contract. Mr. Triplett issued this notice to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Captain of Wilkes Rescue Squad on March 26, 2025. County Officials are grateful for the service the Squad has provided and we had hoped to be able to resolve this breach in a way that would best benefit the Citizens of Wilkes County. According to Dr. Henninger, they could not cure the breach at this time. We as the Board of Commissioners could not continue under the current contract. Wilkes County EMS has been operating as its own back-up for over 7 months, since the fall of 2024, and have covered all standbys without the Squad; no citizen's call was unanswered. Every call received will continue to receive the highest level of ALS care as they always have from Wilkes County. Wilkes County is the primary funding source for Wilkes Rescue Squad, providing more than 48% of their annual revenue from tax payer funds. The amount appropriated to the Rescue Squad in the 24-25 budget is $210,120.00. One of the main reasons we funded Wilkes Rescue at this level is their contract called for them to provide back-up service for Wilkes EMS. With this being said, Wilkes County Government cannot continue funding the Rescue Squad at the same level while receiving less services. The Rescue Squad is not a County department. They are a non-profit just like many other non-profits across Wilkes. We are not 'doing away' with them. This is simply a termination of a contract that they can no longer fulfill their obligations under. Regardless of the status of the Wilkes Rescue Squad, Wilkes County will continue to ensure all levels of emergency services are provided to the citizens. Let us provide you with the background on this. On August 7, 2023, County Officials entered into discussions with officials from the Wilkes Rescue Squad to attempt to reach an agreement on a new contract to replace the contract that was in force at the time. Their most recent contract was entered into on September 20, 2011 and needed to be updated. After the contract with the County was signed, on September 26, 2011, Wilkes Rescue Squad filed a restatement of their Articles of Incorporation with the North Carolina Secretary of State. This was done without the knowledge of the County within 6 days of when the contract was signed. It later came to the attention of the County Commissioners that a dissolution clause was added to the Squad's Articles of Incorporation on 09/26/2011 that stated: in the event the Corporation should cease to be solvent or otherwise decided to disband or go out of service, all their assets could be dispersed to any 501(c)3 organization performing similar services. This new clause in their Articles of Incorporation is in direct conflict with the contract we were prepared to offer Wilkes Rescue. The proposed contract was consistent with the contracts that the County has with all of the Volunteer Fire Departments in Wilkes County, which requires that all assets will be returned to the County for distribution to other departments that may need the equipment in the event of dissolution. It is the opinion of the County that all assets, equipment, and/or property that was paid for by Wilkes County tax payers should absolutely be returned to be used for the benefit of the Citizens in our County in the event of dissolution. Wilkes Rescue's resistance to remove this clause from their Articles of Incorporation has been another major obstacle in negotiations for a new contract. When the Squad Chief told his members 'we will no longer be responding to calls after midnight tonight. We will be cancelling all meetings/training sessions until after the May 6th meeting. Again, we will not be dispatched after midnight tonight and none of our equipment is to respond for any reason…' the Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the EMS and County staff, worked swiftly to ensure that rescue services of all levels remain in place for our citizens. We verbally entered into agreements with four rescue response Fire Departments to ensure the entire county was covered, these are Millers Creek, Mulberry-Fairplains, Ronda, and Broadway. We also currently have five other Fire Departments that are certified rescue and are prepared and will also respond as needed. These Fire Departments are funded with your fire tax dollars; if we entered in to a rescue only contract with the Rescue Squad, our citizens would continue to have to pay for duplication of these rescue services. Wilkes County Commissioners will continue to prioritize the safety, health, and wellbeing of our Citizens moving forward.
