“We are happy to announce that Lewis County EMS is up and going,” says Lewis County EMS Director Michael Byble.
Byble announced on the local emergency medical transportation service’s radio system Friday at 2:26 p.m. that the service was officially in operation.
“Show Lewis County EMS in service for calls,” Byble said to Dispatcher Carla Howe before asking her to conduct a tone test on the frequency.
“Loud and clear. Thank you,” Byble responded after a series of tones that will alert on-duty ambulance workers of a call were broadcast on the frequency.
Just 14 minutes later those tones were sent out for real. A two-vehicle motor vehicle incident near the Greenup County line prompted the first official call for response by Lewis County EMS. Another squad had also just been sent for a non-emergency assist for a resident of Vanceburg Nursing and Rehab returning from an appointment in Maysville.
The service was dispatched out six more times on Friday for various medical calls. Byble said that while the number of calls slowed some over the weekend, crews were eager to respond to each one as they came in.
Byble said Lewis County EMS had successfully passed inspections on four ambulances a day earlier and the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services in Frankfort gave the go-ahead Friday afternoon for the local service to start after reviewing and approving some final paperwork.
Byble, members of the Ambulance Service District Board, newly hired employees, and many others have spent the past several weeks preparing for the service to officially begin operation.
Ambulance Service District Board Chair Danny Palmer said Dr. Travis Bentz, Lewis County EMS Medical Director, has also been busy completing several tasks required of that position in preparation for the start of service.
“We are honored that Dr. Bentz has agreed to join us and fill this very important position,” Palmer said. “His background and knowledge of emergency medicine will be a great asset to Lewis County EMS.”
Palmer said the service will operate from 323 Clarksburg Road in Vanceburg and plans are already in the works to expand.
“We have said from the beginning that we want to provide the best service for all citizens of Lewis County no matter where they reside in the county,” Palmer states.
Thanks to the generous contributions of ambulance services in other areas, Lewis County EMS has opened with five ambulances and two other vehicles.
“We have been in the process of making sure these units are mechanically sound and are properly equipped to serve the people of Lewis County,” said Judge Executive George Sparks.
“The inspections of our ambulances is a thorough process that ensures each ambulance meets state standards,” Sparks added.
Palmer said details had earlier been finalized concerning insurance and third-party billing.
“We’ve been pretty busy these past few weeks,” Palmer said. “There is a lot involved in getting a new EMS in operation.”
Sparks credits the hard work of local officials as well as cooperation of officials with the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) in putting the establishment of Lewis County EMS on the fast track.
“I especially want to thank KBEMS Executive Director Eddie Slone for his assistance and patience as we worked to get up and running,” Sparks said. “He and all of the folks at KBEMS have been available and always willing to assist in any way they can.”
Byble said he is in the continuing process of working out schedules to match the requests of workers, many of whom have positions with other EMS entities.
“We are also continuing to interview applicants,” Byble said. “We have been blessed with many experienced and well-trained applicants and are continuing to seek qualified applicants as we begin serving the people of Lewis County.”
Emergency medical 911 calls for ambulance transportation in Lewis County had been handled by ambulance services in surrounding counties based on availability and geographic location since April 4, when Portsmouth Ambulance discontinued service in the county.
Portsmouth Ambulance has continued to provide mutual aid assistance in taking calls and responding from their base station in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth Ambulance officials first notified the county on February 24, 2022, of the intent to close their Lewis County hub within 30 days because they were losing money.
A contract was negotiated as a short-term solution with the initial one-year term calling for Lewis County to subsidize Portsmouth Ambulance $16,000 per month for them to continue to provide service in the county.
Funding for the first one-year contract was allocated from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money received by the county. Craig Stanfield was serving as judge executive at that time.
Last year magistrates approved the creation of an ambulance tax and a five-member board was named to oversee the creation and operation of the local EMS service.
The property tax was established at 10 cents per $100 valuation and appeared for the first time on Lewis County property tax bills mailed in October with the first proceeds realized by the taxing entity in December. The tax has been applied to motor vehicles and watercraft since January 1.
The contract for service with Portsmouth Ambulance was renewed for one year in April 2023 at a negotiated $19,000 per month. The City of Vanceburg agreed to assist the county and had been contributing $3,000 per month toward the cost.
The non-emergency telephone number for Lewis County EMS is 606-774-0499. Always dial 911 in an emergency situation.
Sparks said there will still be occasions when mutual aid from other services will be needed if local crews are out on other calls when an ambulance is needed.
“We ask for continued patience as we become established and work on expanding service to our citizens,” he said.
Those wishing to apply for EMS and paramedic positions may drop off resumes in person at Lewis County EMS, 323 Clarksburg Road in Vanceburg, or email them to LewisCountyEMS@lewiscountyky.gov.
