Henry County officials have approved a transition to a private EMS provider, leaving some residents and emergency responders with concerns.
The Henry County Ambulance Tax District has finalized a five-year contract with AmerPro EMS, a decision made without soliciting bids, WAVE reports.
The change has sparked controversy among local EMS employees and concerned citizens who argue that prioritizing cost-cutting measures over public safety could have dire consequences.
“You cannot put a price on lives,” said one concerned resident said at a meeting to discuss the contract. “Emergency services are not meant to be profitable; they are meant to serve the citizens of Henry County.”
The tax district cited financial struggles as a key reason for the decision. Officials said that Henry County ended the last fiscal year with a deficit of $130,000 and continued to lose money under the existing contract with nonprofit provider Baptist Health.
Under the new agreement, AmerPro EMS will provide Henry County with one Advanced Medical Service (AMS) ambulance operating 24/7 and one Basic Medical Service (BMS) ambulance available Monday through Friday for 10-hour shifts. However, many fear this level of service will not be sufficient to meet the county’s needs.
