Twin City Ambulance Service Board in Fulton County is hosting public meetings this week to discuss operational efforts, revenue streams and how citizens can contribute to ambulance services.
The third and final meeting is 6:30 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Hickman, Kentucky. As KenTenn Emergency Medical Services, the board will take over operations when Tennova Healthcare ceases management in December.
KenTenn EMS will be responsible for upgrading emergency vehicles and replace equipment to meet state and federal regulations. KenTenn EMS released a capital needs forecast for the costs of equipment over the next five years. The organization is looking to replace two ambulances and purchase power-lift stretchers and other equipment within the first year.
City of Fulton Fire Department Chief Mike Gunn said the service’s $10 monthly fee on water bills will not change but more people should pay the fee. Gunn said the ambulance service collects $371 thousand from water bill fees and $771 thousand from insurance claims and collections. However, the service costs $1.3 million a year to run, roughly $1.6 thousand more than is collected. Gun said if just 75 percent of people paid the monthly fee, the ambulance service would be running with an excess amount of money.
KenTenn EMS will continue to serve a 20 mile service area from ambulance stations in Fulton and Hickman and respond to 911 calls.
