EMS opts to not give an ambulance to ESD

All but one member of the Gonzales County Emergency Medical Services and Rescue (EMS) board of directors struck down a motion to cede one ambulance to the Gonzales County Emergency Services District #1 (ESD.) General consensus among the board was that the EMS needed to retain all six of its ambulances for the forthcoming Float Fest event in July. Board member Roy Crawley was the only dissenter.

“If we’re going to have all the community’s support around here assisting us, why go to the expense of leasing equipment to sit there unstaffed?” Crawley said. “If it’s inevitable that the board is going to turn over the service to the ESD, why go to the extra expense and rent one when we could just hand one over.”

Several board members countered that argument by claiming giving up an ambulance before a major event like Float Fest could leave EMS short staffed. At least one board member was open to giving an ambulance to ESD after Float Fest passes.

The ESD needs an ambulance in its name to move forward with becoming the county’s primary care provider. The EMS and ESD are undergoing a merger that would see the ESD become the emergency medical service provider in Gonzales County. ESD Commissioner Johnnie Hall said the ambulance does not need to be staffed, it only has to be in possession of the group to satisfy state requirements. With the EMS deciding to not give an ambulance over, the ESD will now discuss leasing an ambulance and stretcher at its meeting June 20.

The ESD board will meet at 4 p.m. June 20 at the Gonzales County Courthouse, 414 St. Joseph Street, Gonzales, Texas 78629.

Other news from the meeting:

• Discussions on the next steps in restructuring were tabled.
• Amended bylaws were received and read.
• No public comments were given.
• Minutes were read, while May 2019 financial and activity reports were accepted as is.