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Court pushes for new EMS facility |
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Written by Andrew Powell
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Friday, 14 May 2010 |
County officials are now pushing to construct a new emergency services building to house the ambulance service and 911 dispatch center.
County officials are now pushing to construct a new emergency services building to house the ambulance service and 911 dispatch center.
The issue was raised Tuesday during a Fiscal Court meeting by Judge-Executive Blaine Phillips, who has been teetering back and forth on the idea over the last several weeks. Phillips said, following a recent review of county finances, the county could proceed with construction of a new building.
“I have looked at this and figured, and have tried to come up with the correct way to proceed with this facility,” Judge Phillips said, noting he was placing the issue in the laps of the magistrates.
Magistrate Ted Coffey first made mention of constructing a new facility during a meeting last month, but was cautioned on pushing the issue until renovation costs were determined. Judge Phillips said about $65,000 worth of renovations were due to the fire damaged building.
With nearly $800,000 in the bank, Judge Phillips led the county into a proposal to use the insurance claim money as a down payment on the new facility. Phillips hopes to raze the fire-damaged building and construct a 6,000 square foot facility that can house the ambulance service and 911 center.
“It would be easy to put $75,000 in it and be back in the running, but we would still have two old facilities down there,” Judge Phillips says. Phillips has an emergency order that allows him to proceed with the project as he sees fit, outside of the parameters of Fiscal Court approval and typical building regulations. Philips issued the order soon after the March fire.
Magistrate Roger Phillips concurred with Phillips on building the new facility, saying it was in the judge’s hands, but asked to meet with the Whitley City Fire Department before proceeding. The fire department has loaned space to the ambulance service for operations since the fire.
“We need to get with the fire department and see how long they will let us stay there,” Magistrate Phillips said. “But, I agree with you on this.”
Though no action was taken on the issue Tuesday, the magistrates agreed with Judge Phillips’ proposal to build a new facility. Phillips thinks the building could be complete before fall and the cash surplus prevent the county from borrowing any money on the project.
He is expecting the project to cost around $250,000. The project will be as much aid to the 911 dispatch center as it will the ambulance service. Both buildings are very old and in poor repair with leaking roofs and electrical problems.
Judge Phillips said it is time both buildings are replaced.
“I will get to work on it this afternoon,” he said Tuesday.
Amy Barnett, Director of the Ambulance Service again showed appreciation to the Whitley City Fire Department for their hospitality and excitement at the prospect of a new facility.
“We have many more issues with that building than the fire,” Barnett said following Tuesday’s court meeting. “And, this would be a great asset to the 911 Center, that building is falling apart. I’m real excited about it and hope it can happen.”
Barnett said she hopes to meet with Judge Phillips in the coming days regarding ideas she has for the facility.
Phillips said the project will be let to bid in the coming weeks and he will push to expedite the project.
“It should be able to go straight up,” he said.
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