WASHINGTON CO. ENTERS INTO INTERLOCAL EMS AIR PREFERRED PROVIDER AGREEMENT WITH WALKER CO.
Washington County Commissioners established an interlocal agreement with Walker County allowing it usage of the county’s EMS multi-mission helicopter at their meeting today (Tuesday).
Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the agreement establishing a rural county alliance between the two counties. Through the agreement, Walker County will designate Washington County as its preferred provider of air medical transportation services. It will also allow Washington County to provide helicopter fire suppression, hoist rescue, and search and rescue support to Walker County.
EMS Director Kevin Deramus said the agreement essentially makes Walker County an extension of Washington County when it comes to providing services via the helicopter.
Deramus noted that this agreement did not involve any monetary exchange, and that Washington County would retain priority should an instance of both counties needing air services at the same time. Commissioner Kirk Hanath said this resource is valuable to the Washington County community, but needs to be utilized as a regional asset for other communities, as well.
Also at today’s meeting, the Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce presented the county with a check recouping the county for EMS service costs in Chappell Hill. Chappell Hill Bank President Ed Smith thanked the county and EMS for their continued partnership with Chappell Hill to provide services. The bank furnished the mailers and postage for annual solicitations to support EMS services in Chappell Hill. Over $22,000 was received through the solicitation efforts over the past year.
The court also gave rounds of applause to members of the Washington County Joint Information Center (JIC), recognizing them for the work they have done to distribute information amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioners also held a brief moment of silence for the late Carroll “Butch” Faske, who died Friday in Tomball after a brief illness. Faske served as Precinct Two Constable of Washington County for 31 years.
Also in court, commissioners approved:
- 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. Durrenberger said the county will have to put down $7,144 in matching funds, but the sub-grant could provide the county with over $37,000 in federal funds to acquire additional election supplies and cleaning supplies.
- Changing the Independence Day observance holiday from Monday, July 6th to Friday, July 3rd.
So first come, first serve. Luck of the draw. Not what the people who voted for commissioners and County judge expected when they so generously supported them for office.
City Resident, so what happens if the helicopter accepts a call to Walker County and we have an emergency need for it arise in Washington County? Much quicker and cheaper to take an ambulance to College Station .
The county is on record saying this air ambulance program will be at no cost to county taxpayers. I’m just appreciative of EMS and Kevin Deramus for being so forward thinking. It’s hard to put a price tag on those in need of trauma care, let’s not nickel and dime the program before it is even operational. I trust and believe EMS and the county when they’ve said it will not cost anything for county taxpayers!
But the next logical question is, if the helicopter is off doing something in Walker County and another helicopter has to be sent it, will that service also be provided without cost to the Washington County resident. If the answer is no, I would argue this deal may not be quite as good for us as they claim.
Where are all the MASKS??????
Right? Our kids can’t play on the playground or go to the library but the commissioners and others in this group, most of which are in the most vulnerable portion of the population, can stand side by side for a “look what we did” picture? Typical do as I say, not as I do attitude of politicians.