County Board Votes to Award RFP to Rural Med as 911 Ambulance Service Provider

The Effingham County Board Tuesday voted to award a Request for Proposal for County 911 Ambulance Service in the county to Rural Med.

The vote was 5-2. Those voting in favor were Ambulance Oversight Committee Chairman Rob Arnold, Joe Thoele, Dave Campbell, Norbert Soltwedel, and Heather Mumma. Those voting against were John Perry and Doug McCain. Member Elizabeth Huston abstained from the vote as she is a part-owner of A-1 Ambulance of Altamont. Chairman Jim Niemann did not vote on the question.

Rural Med was recommended for the contract by the Ambulance Oversight Committee, but the County Board voted to reject the recommendation. The matter was revisited and Campbell and Mumma said they met with Rural Med officials and felt they could do the job. Rural Med has a mutual aid agreement with current contract holder Abbott EMS for assistance if needed.

A number of Abbott employees were on hand to ask the Board to reconsider not renewing a contract with Abbott. They defended their service and suggested that service is getting better.

In voting in favor of Rural Med, Campbell said Rural Med officials said they agree with his belief that there should be a rotation of services to assist them.

Huston asked questions to make sure the process has been done correctly, and reminded that she has abstained from any vote on the issue, due to her ownership interest in A-1.

Negotiations will now begin on a contract with Rural Med. The County's contract with Abbott expires in April. There has been a vote by the County Board extend their contract with Abbott another six months, but that extension has not been finalized.