Rescue 69 "Stunned" By Commissioners' EMS Vote; Crowd Expected At Meeting Monday

By Mike Perleberg Photo via Rescue 69 Facebook page. (Ripley County, Ind.) - Another Ripley County ambulance service is speaking out after county commissioners decided to cut ties with three local life squads. On February 1st, county commissioners unanimously voted to not renew contracts for ambulance coverage by private non-profit life squads Rescue 69, Sunman Area Life Squad, and Milan Rescue 30. County-owned Ripley County EMS will take over 24/7 ambulance coverage of the unincorporated areas currently covered by those three on August 1, the day after the current EMS contracts expire. Commissioner Gerald Stutler reasoned that the move was made due to the cost of supporting the life squads, in addition to some emergency calls going unanswered. A number of local EMS supporters are expected to ask for more answers at the county commissioners’ meeting on Monday, February 15. The meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. in the commissioners room in the Ripley County Courthouse Annex in Versailles. The move apparently blind-sided many citizens and those involved with the three private life squads. Rescue 69 president Keith Sieverding wrote a public statement posted to the organization’s Facebook page Wednesday. “We at Southern Ripley County Emergency Life Squad (aka Rescue 69) are deeply troubled by the Commissioner’s recent action to terminate our contract. As you know, Rescue 69 has been an integral part of the Emergency Medical Service and life safety team for decades in Southern Ripley County. This unprecedented action has left us stunned and in total disbelief. We would like the residents of Ripley County know that we would be proud to serve you for many more years and this is not our desire and certainly not the legacy we wish for this organization.” Sieverding said the Rescue 69 board will be meeting soon to decide a path forward. Part of that path will include communicating the organization’s perspective on statements made after the commissioners’ vote, Sieverding said. “We would like to thank all the residents, supporters and members, present and past for their contributions to Rescue 69 over the years. It is troubling that we now must ask you to stand by our side and fight for the life of that organization after it has been such an integral part of the fabric and soul that represents the best of Ripley County,” Sieverding concluded. According to minutes from the commissioners’ meeting on January 15, Ripley County EMS director James Corbin said that Rescue 69 owed the county $11,350 for unpaid ALS run fees as of the end of 2015. ALS fees are paid by the private life squads, who do not have paramedics on duty, when they are assisted by Ripley County EMS on more serious runs that require a paramedic. The county auditor was withholding quarterly draws to Rescue 69 until the amount is received. At the same meeting, Corbin “provided the commissioners with the year end totals the rescue units saved by the lower ALS run fees to the county. Total saved all rescue units combined was $95,400.00,” according to the minutes. Sunman Area Life Squad, Inc. released their own lengthy statement on the situation on February 3.  In it, the board claimed that the private non-profit’s contract is not being renewed “under false pretense”. Milan Rescue 30 and Sunman Area Life Squad could maintain ambulance service within their respective town limits after their Ripley County contracts end. Sunman Area Life Squad is also contracted to serve parts of Dearborn County. RELATED STORIES: Ripley Co. Commissioners EMS Vote Begins War Of Words Ripley Co. Commissioners Ending Three EMS Contracts; Ripley Co. EMS Will Take Over