By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The potential of Bucyrus exiting the Central Joint Ambulance District was a hot topic of discussion during the district’s meeting Wednesday night.
During the old business portion of the meeting, Central Joint Ambulance District (CJAD) Treasurer Milton Underwood brought up the possibility, noting that it would not be in the best interest of the city as long as the CJAD holds a zero-subsidy contract with the ambulance service contracted through the district.
“In an article the Bucyrus Mayor said he wanted to save the tax payers money,” Underwood said. “What tax money? It is zero-subsidy. Once there is a subsidy then it affects the tax payers. They would probably need to purchase another ambulance, and hire more staff. It makes no sense at all. It is the same crap every three years. Anything else that they do will take taxpayers’ money. It is a no brainer.”
Crawford County EMA Director Tim Flock weighed in on the situation at hand. He warned the CJAD that instead of bickering about the issue, they need to start researching for potential solutions if Bucyrus in fact does leave the district.
“Instead of gearing up about it, the writing is on the wall. If we keep doing this instead of looking at and researching different options it is over,” Flock said. “The city of Bucyrus looks out for Bucyrus, and you need to look out for your township’s residents. Why don’t you put together a committee or group to see what happens if Bucyrus decides to leave? You need options.”
Flock said that there is work to do, but instead of worrying the CJAD needs to look at other areas of resources in case Bucyrus does leave. That way, Flock argued, more options would be on the table than just folding the CJAD altogether.
CJAD Vice President Jason Long noted that so far everything about Bucyrus leaving has been all talk, but nothing has come of it.
Flock noted that he had requested a list of places that the Bucyrus Fire Department is willing to send its fire trucks, as well as EMS, in case of a mutual aid call.
“Life Support is supposed to work with mutual aids and have those mutual aid agreements in writing,” Flock said. “We just need some basic protocol and it needs to come from Life Support.”
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The board approved to remove the performance bond requirement from the newest contract, which needs to be signed by both parties before it becomes official. It also approved three submitted variances.