“We are working diligently and as fast as we can to have the service up and going,” says Lewis County EMS Director Michael Byble.
Byble and members of the Ambulance Service District Board have spent the past week interviewing applicants for EMT and paramedic positions with the service in addition to completing dozens of end-of-the-list requirements to get the service operating.
One of those requirements was having a medical director.
Ambulance Service District Board Chair Danny Palmer said Dr. Travis Bentz has been named as Lewis County EMS Medical Director and is busy completing several tasks required of that position.
“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.”
Dr. Bentz is a family medicine physician at PrimaryPlus-Vanceburg. He has been practicing for 10 years and is an honors graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
He completed his medical residency at the Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Dr. Bentz is a combat veteran with over 20 years of military experience and recently retired from military service.
He is described as an avid outdoorsman. Dr. Bentz, his wife, and their 11 children reside in Lewis County.
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 will open with five ambulances.
“We have been in the process of making sure these units are mechanically sound and properly equipped to serve the people of Lewis County,” said Judge Executive George Sparks.
“They will receive a state inspection prior to being placed into service,” he added. “It is a thorough process that will ensure each ambulance meets state standards.”
Palmer said details have 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 don’t think there has been a day in the past month that I haven’t been in contact with KBEMS Executive Director Eddie Slone at least once with some question or request,” 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 currently in the process of working out schedules to match the requests of workers, many of whom have positions with other EMS entities.
“We are 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 prepare to begin serving the people of Lewis County.”
Emergency medical 911 calls for ambulance transportation are presently being handled by ambulance services in surrounding counties based on availability and geographic location.
Sparks said Lewis County first responders are also continuing to provide service in assisting with the initial response to urgent medical calls.
“I am more than proud of our own first-responders for their selfless efforts in providing service to our citizens,” Sparks said.
Portsmouth Ambulance officials 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.
Those wishing to apply for EMT and paramedic positions may drop off resumes in person at the Judge Executive’s Office in the Lewis County Courthouse or email them to LewisCountyEMS@lewiscountyky.gov.
