Parkview Ambulance departing a scene in Fulton County
Photo Credit – Alamo Studios

On June 30, 2024, Parkview EMS was named the primary EMS provider in Fulton County. The June 30 start date for Parkview EMS was set after a heated series of meetings and letters between the Fulton County Government, and Kosciusko Ambulance Service (Lutheran EMS).

After a breach of contract by Lutheran EMS removing an ambulance from Akron, the Fulton County Commissioners recieved a letter of self-termination from Lutheran EMS. The EMS Agency gave an end of service date of March 1, however the county recieved no communications from Lutheran EMS until after March 1. After heated negotiations between Lutheran Health Network and Fulton County, a bidding war was opened by the County to invite a new EMS Agency to the area. Lutheran EMS was the first to bid, with a shocking $0 bid for the first year of service. The main change for Lutheran EMS was the ability to draft an updated contract for their service, allowing them to move ambulances in and out of the county as they please, previously an unavailable option, which breached their contract originally.

When the Fulton County Commissioners saw Lutheran’s intentions, they declined the contract immediately, despite the free first year, and discounted 3 years they were offered. The 2 main bidders for EMS Coverage in Fulton County were Heartland EMS, and Parkview Health.

Until June, Fulton County had full intentions of proceeding with Heartland EMS for coverage of the county. Alamo Studios Publisher Christopher Bake spoke with Fulton County Commissioner Richard A. Ranstead on this matter at a Fulton County Republican Party meeting on April 2nd; When asked what the county’s plan was if an EMS Agency was not determined by the June 30th deadline set by Lutheran EMS, Ranstead explained that despite an extremely high bidding price of $1.35 Million for 1 year, and the need to raise county taxes to cover it, the county would be proceeding with Heartland EMS if no other agency was found, as the last thing they wanted to do was leave Fulton County with no EMS Coverage.

Fortunately for Fulton County, Parkview EMS was able to provide a lower bid and secure the contract for EMS Coverage in the county. Parkview Health has already made itself a home in Fulton County, the Fulton County Municipal Airport (KRCR) has been home to the Parkview Samaritan Two Helicopter for 25 years.

Residents of Fulton County are relieved to see a familiar face like Parkview on their own backdoor. Many Residents were unhappy with the expected raise in taxes with Heartland, leaving Parkview as the only feasible option for most Fulton County residents.

You can expect updates on EMS Coverage at the next Fulton County Comissioners meeting on Monday, July 15, and the Fulton County Council meeting on Tuesday, July 16.