County accepts Com-Care, Inc. again

March 28--Logan County Fiscal Court approved Com-Care, Inc. out of Ohio County on Tuesday as the sole bidder for ambulance service for the 2014-15 fiscal year. This will be Com-Care's fifth year as Logan's ambulance provider.

The 2014-15 bid came in at $165,000, which is $7,000 less than last year. Jim Duke, Com-Care's owner and president, said although the cost of services have actually gone up, his company was able to find savings in labor since Logan County was now sharing some of its crews with Todd County.

Magistrate Thomas Bouldin said he felt Com-care did an excellent job, and he had never heard a complaint against them. He thanked Duke for doing a great job.

Com-Care will operate an Advanced Life Support, Class 1 ground ambulance service as set forth in KRS 311.030 and 202 KAR 7:501. A base will be maintained at the location of the current EMS building located in Russellville and owned by the Logan County Fiscal Court. Com-Care will staff two 24 hour ALS crews plus additional day shift crews as needed for non-emergency transfers. Additional on-call staff will be scheduled daily to address periods of increased volume. Com-Care wills secure and provide an additional base in the Auburn area. Com-Care will provide utilities at both locations.

The company will furnish materials, supplies, storage and any other items necessary or convenient to the operation of a complete emergency and non-emergency Ambulance Service for Logan County. They will provide all vehicle maintenance to ambulances provided by the fiscal court and will maintain said vehicles in good operational order.

Com-Care will act as an agent for the county to secure grant funding from state and federal sources as related to Emergency Medical Services. Any equipment or funds secured would be the sole property of the Logan County Fiscal Court. From 2009 until present time, Com-Care has secured through Homeland Security and the Hospital preparedness partnership approximately $76,000 in emergency response supplies.

The company shall be in complete and total control of the management of the Ambulance Service, will have complete and unlimited discretion in the hiring, discharge, payment and assignment of duties of the employees and personnel of the Ambulance Service. All billing and receipts for services which occur during the period contractually agreed upon by both parties shall be the property of Com-Care.

Com-Care will provide professional liability insurance in the amount of no less than $3 million, in addition to a $5 million umbrella policy.

They will maintain all run records as required through 202 KAR 7:501 during the period of any contractual agreement and provide all stored run date to the Logan County Fiscal Court whenever any agreement terminates.

They will also provide the fiscal court with any date related to run volume, response times and demographic information as requested.

Com-Care will implement a plan with the local EMT's, firefighters, law enforcement and first responders for consumable supply replenishment at no cost to the responding agencies. Monthly training will be provided in the county for all EMT's.

According to the contract, the county is responsible for:

Supplying building space for EMT stations to include major maintenance and upkeep of the station currently located in Russellville.

Emergency dispatching from the current 911 center to include any necessary telecommunications infrastructure.

Providing and replacing, as necessary, six ambulances, in good operating condition and meeting all requirements as set forth by 202 KAR 7:501. Also all vehicle collision, comprehensive and liability insurance for EMS vehicles

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