By Andrew Harp
The Evening News and the Tribune
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. 鈥� Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore announced in a news release Wednesday that the city will study the fiscal feasibility of establishing its own ambulance and EMS service.
The release states that considering the city has hired the accounting and financial advisory firm of Baker Tilly to study the possibility of a fire territory in Jeffersonville that would include Utica and Utica Township, the firm will be hired for this study as well.
鈥淚t鈥檚 time that we take a hard look at whether Jeffersonville should provide ambulance and EMS service for its residents,鈥� Moore said in the release. 鈥淲e were already looking at whether it made sense financially to create a fire territory. With residents鈥� concerns about adequate ambulance and EMS coverage, it just made sense to expand the scope of that study. We want to look at all viable options to ensure that our residents are safe.鈥�
Jeffersonville now has ambulance service through New Chapel EMS via Clark County鈥檚 contract with the organization, which is set to expire in 2025. The company鈥檚 founder, Jamey Noel, was arrested last year and is facing several felony charges.
New Chapel is under new leadership but has lost multiple clients in recent months between its fire and EMS services. Floyd County declined to renew its contract with New Chapel EMS in May. New Albany Township ended its fire protection deal with New Chapel Fire last month.
City Council President Dustin White proposed the original study for the fire territory and supports another study for the creation of a Jeffersonville-operated ambulance and EMS service.
鈥淲e have a top-notch fire department that is well-trained. It is well-positioned to implement and manage ambulance and EMS,鈥� White said in the release. 鈥淭he creation of a new fire territory could provide us that opportunity.鈥�
The new study will analyze whether the creation of a new fire territory will produce enough revenue to support a Jeffersonville -operated ambulance and EMS service that would be staffed by trained paramedics and EMTs. Once the study is complete, the findings will be presented to city officials.
鈥淚f the fire territory and the establishment of ambulance and EMS service is economically feasible, then we will have discussions with Utica and Clark County about the next steps,鈥� Moore said in the release.
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