WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS TO CONSIDER EMS AIR PREFERRED PROVIDER AGREEMENT WITH WALKER CO.
Washington County Commissioners will meet Tuesday to act on an agreement expanding the reach of the county’s EMS multi-mission helicopter.
Commissioners will consider an interlocal agreement establishing a rural county alliance with Walker County, making Washington County Walker County’s preferred provider of air medical transportation services. The agreement will also allow Washington County to provide helicopter fire suppression, hoist rescue, and search and rescue support to Walker County.
County Judge John Durrenberger said this will allow REACH Air Medical Services to receive more revenue from patient transports, adding that Washington County patient transports alone will not pay all of REACH’s bills. As per the county’s agreement with REACH, the company is reimbursing the county for all employee salaries, program direction, administrative oversight, and crew quarters.
Commissioners in March approved an AirMedCare Network municipal site membership for the county, which will provide air medical services for county residents in both Washington and contiguous counties. EMS Director Kevin Deramus previously said county residents will not be given copays when transported, as their insurance will cover the cost, and anything left would be paid by the municipal site membership.
People without insurance can still utilize the service, but will be billed for Medicaid rates by the county. Durrenberger said this will apply to Walker County residents, who will have to pay in full for helicopter usage unless they have insurance.
Durrenberger said it is about a 20 minute flight to Walker County from the helicopter’s station in old Washington. If approved, the interlocal agreement will become effective August 1st.
Commissioners will meet Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at the Washington County Courthouse Annex.
Also in session Tuesday, the court will consider:
- The purchase of a budgeted EMS ambulance remount, which takes an existing ambulance box and places it on a new chassis. The remount will cost $64,425.
- A resolution in support of an application for and receiving additional funding support from the 2020 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) CARES Act sub-grant to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus with regard to the 2020 federal election cycle.
- Presentation and recognition for the task force members that have represented the Washington County Joint Information Center (JIC).
- Changing the Independence Day observance holiday from Monday, July 6th to Friday, July 3rd.
Good story. I am so grateful that Mr Deramus and Judge Durrenberger are honoring their pledge that this air ambulance will serve Washington County with absolutely no cost to the county budget OR taxpayers due to the unique public-private partnership. Many of us are excited to see our stellar EMS expand to the sky with this helicopter. Can someone clarify what the protocol will be if there are urgent medical or rescue or fire suppression needs in Walker County and Washington County on the same day? It’s a long way from western side of Burton to the far eastern side of Walker County. Also would be super useful to know where the air medic crew and pilot are housed? Do they wait on call each day at the small volunteer firefighter structure in Old Washington where the helicopter is currently tied down? Or does the flight crew drive out to Old Washington from Brenham for the origination of each flight? Excited to learn more details about this new county service and agreement with the Huntsville area.