By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Central Joint Ambulance District’s oversight committee presented its findings Wednesday – one of which is that Life Support is in breach of its contract.
Board vice president Steve Aichholz reported that Life Support had yet to acquire a performance bond, which according to its contract needed to be paid within 90 days of taking over as the district’s ambulance provider.
County Prosecutor Matt Crall was on hand to answer questions about the performance bond after explaining that the bond was an agreement between the CJAD and Life Support. Crall noted that Life Support needs to be put on notice that it is in breach of contract with a set amount of time to fix the situation.
“It is a unique situation. I haven’t been able to speak with Life Support’s attorney,” Crall said. “Normally 30 days is given to a group to make it up, but this is a unique situation.”
After each member of the board spoke their opinion on the situation the CJAD voted to give Life Support 30 days to come up with the bond money or to work out the situation with Crall and Life Support’s attorneys.
Aichholz also reported that the oversight committee spoke to Life Support about getting variance times down and a few of the ambulance runs that were in question. The issue with Life Support’s insurance not allowing other drivers other than Life Support employees was also answered in Aichholz’s report.
While only Life Support employees are able to drive the vehicles, emergency personnel are allowed to ride in the back of the ambulance to provide assistance.
More complaints were given about run times for Life Support Wednesday night. Tiro resident Crai Shatzer spoke to the CJAD about the timing of the Life Support run to her residence on January 20 when her husband was having breathing issues. Shatzer also questioned why the Life Support drivers took a different route than Ohio 39 to the Shelby hospital.
CJAD President Dale Sipe said that the CJAD would review the complaint and asked if Shatzer would return at the April CJAD meeting.
Life Support EMS worker Dereck Wallace spoke before the CJAD Wednesday night and thanked all of the local fire departments for being very helpful with the drivers. Wallace also said that as a Saturday paramedic he has had no issues with patient care, or fire departments.
Shawn Spangler returned to the CJAD meeting this time asking Life Support CEO Chris Kennedy why he was terminated.
Kennedy responded by saying that it was a character reason and due to several written statements from patients.
Spangler stood by that his reasoning for being fired was by going to the January CJAD meeting and telling the members of the CJAD when Life Support was breaking the contract on calls.
Kennedy responded to Spangler by saying, “We can hire and fire at will Shawn.”
“You were the one breaking contract by reporting times earlier than they actually were,” Kennedy continued.
Aichholz interjected before the meeting turned into a shouting match between former employee and employer.
“A lot of stuff has come before us, some legitimate, some not. Stop trying to clog it up,” Aichholz said. “There have been issues. We have got to stop with the nonsense and just have to make it productive.”
Richard Burkepile and John Brady were introduced by Sipe as the newest supervisors to Life Support.
In Secretary/Treasurer Milton Underwood’s report to the CJAD Underwood reported that the current balance was $11,480.83. Underwood also noted that the CJAD had yet to receive the month’s rent check from Life Support.
Underwood read a letter to the CJAD from Burkhart Farm Center in which the Burkhart Farm Center thanked Life Support for the service that they had provided on one of their calls.
The next CJAD meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on April 22 at the Plymouth Street Station.