THE LOCATION OF THE EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN VANCEBURG
The event will be at Central Elementary, at 86 Walter Street in Vanceburg (between Fairlane Drive and KY 8), rain or shine.
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“With our ambulances in operation and more than 190 runs since the first call on May 31, we’ve set the official opening of Lewis County EMS for July 25,” said Judge Executive George Sparks in announcing plans for the event on Monday.
Sparks said the ceremonial ribbon cutting has been scheduled for Noon on Thursday, July 25, at Central Elementary in Vanceburg, complete with a cook-out and a few words from local officials.
“It has taken a lot of hard work by a lot of people but we now have our own ambulance service to provide emergency medical transport for our citizens,” Sparks said.
“I’m proud of the efforts of the Ambulance Service District Board and others who worked so hard to make this a reality,” he said. “And I appreciate the support of magistrates who were behind the effort to create a Lewis County owned and operated ambulance service.”
Sparks said everyone is invited to the informal event, especially those who had a hand in the creation of the local service and those who have supported the organization through the many efforts needed to make it a reality.
“We have had so much assistance and support from our local officials, businesses, and citizens, as well as organizations from across the state who have contributed equipment from ambulances to backboards,” Sparks said.
“We want to publicly thank all those who had a hand in the creation of Lewis County Emergency Medical Services,” he added. “It would not have been possible without so many who helped to get the service on its feet.”
The event will be at Central Elementary, at 86 Walter Street in Vanceburg (between Fairlane Drive and KY 8), rain or shine.
EMS Director Michael Byble said the ambulance service officially began operation May 31 at 2:26 p.m. when the state provided the final piece of the puzzle with approval of the final paperwork.
Just 14 minutes later, Lewis County EMS received its first call to respond to a two-vehicle motor vehicle incident near the Greenup County line. 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 that first day of operations for various medical calls. Byble said that while the volume of calls slowed some since that first run, crews remain eager to respond to each one as they are received.
Byble said Lewis County EMS had successfully passed inspections on four ambulances and the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services in Frankfort have been a great help to the fledgling service.
The service recently added a newer four-wheel-drive vehicle to the fleet which is in the process of being equipped and prepared for service.
Byble, members of the Ambulance Service District Board, recently hired employees, and many others had spent several weeks preparing for the service to officially begin operation.
Ambulance Service District Board Chair Danny Palmer said Dr. Travis Bentz is serving as Medical Director for the service.
The original members of the Ambulance Service District Board include Palmer, Tim Douglas, Brenda Cunningham, LeighAnn Ruggles, and Ashley White.
Palmer said the service is operating 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.
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.”
“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 work to expand our services to 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 between April 4, when Portsmouth Ambulance discontinued service in the county, and May 31.
Those surrounding services continue to provide aid when the local squad is on another call or have a request for additional assistance.
Portsmouth Ambulance has also 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.
“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.
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