NEW ALBANY — The ballots have been cast and a vote count is expected to take place Monday, but the decision by the New Albany fire union as it pertains to operating the city ambulance may not matter.

Last week, Mayor Jeff Gahan confirmed the administration was considering a partnership with Rural Metro Ambulance Services of Indiana. If a deal is reached, Rural Metro would run three ambulances in the city, taking the place of the one New Albany Fire Department ambulance in operation.

The fire union voted Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on shifting the six-person crew that operates the city ambulance to other department staff positions. The ballots are expected to be counted Monday, and union president Tim Bailey has declined to comment on the issue until after the vote is tallied.

Gahan, citing respect for the union vote, also delayed some comments on the matter until this week. On Friday, he revealed the administration began investigating ways to either expand the city ambulance service or to privatize the operation.



THE REASONS

Medical transportation by the NAFD has been an issue for several years, and Gahan said it’s only natural for the administration to review expenses especially in the most heavily funded departments in the city — police and fire.

“We have to deliver a wide range of services, and provide all those within our maximum levy,” Gahan said.

After reviewing the track record of the public service and a 2010 study on the operation, Gahan said the administration reached the conclusion that the investment didn’t match the return when it came to the ambulance. Citing a minimum of $270,000 in savings, Gahan acknowledged Friday the administration is likely to move forward with the Rural Metro Services deal regardless of the outcome of the union vote.

“We’ve worked very diligently to honor the terms of the firefighters’ contract, and that will continue,” Gahan said. “But at the end of the day, our job is to deliver a wide range of services to the public within the confines of the levy. And this is our best shot.”

When factoring in the reduction of overtime, maintenance and supply costs, Gahan said the amount of savings could end up being as much as $400,000.



A DIFFERING OPINION

But NAFD Medical Director Dr. Tom Harris questioned the move, and said he wasn’t consulted by Gahan prior to the administration’s dealings with Rural Metro.

Harris said this week he attempted to express his concerns with the proposal to the fire union during a recent meeting, but was asked to leave.

“At no point in this negotiation did the mayor or anybody in his office, or the fire hierarchy, ever ask me about this,” Harris said.

He added that he’s trained in administration and management of emergency service, and that he doesn’t believe Rural Metro can offer the same quality and response time as the NAFD ambulance team.

“For the last couple of decades, this New Albany Fire Department squad has been arguably the best service in the area,” Harris said.

There are unknowns about the quality of service Rural Metro can offer, Harris said, adding that he would stay on as medical director if the NAFD is left in charge.

“I will not be the medical director for Rural Metro,” he said.



A PRIVATE MATTER

Dan Gillespie, division general manager for Rural Metro Indiana, said that the deal hasn’t been signed with the city, and that he would not comment further on the matter until after the union vote was announced.

Gahan said he’s had conversations with the Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services administration, and that they’re aware of the pending move.

Private ambulance service isn’t a new idea in Floyd County or New Albany. Currently, Yellow Ambulance receives the emergency call if the city’s ambulance is dispatched to another scene.

Gahan added that the Rural Metro ambulances would be housed in NAFD fire stations, and their personnel would be under the direction of Fire Chief Matt Juliot.

Rural Metro wouldn’t receive taxpayer funding, as they would instead be paid through emergency-run charges.

“It reduces the cost to the taxpayer, but increases the quality of the service,” Gahan said, as he added the city will still be able to have a fair amount of control over the ambulance staff and service.

Harris also questioned whether the administration investigated other ambulance services prior to deciding upon Rural Metro. Gahan said the prices of other ambulance services were considered.

Gahan said he did speak with Harris by phone last week, and that he respects his input.

“As a license holder, he’s doing his job by keeping us informed of his concerns,’ Gahan said.