Chilton County Commission exploring options for ambulance service

CHILTON COUNTY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The Chilton County Commission is exploring options for expanding ambulance services.

Some cities in Chilton County, like Clanton, have their own ambulance to serve residents. But rural communities, such as Cooper and Isabella, don’t have any ambulances or contracts with private companies to provide ambulance services.

The result can be long wait times, something the Chilton County Commission is working to address. Chilton County Commission Chairman Randell Kelley realizes the need for ambulances.

“Well, you know, it’s the safety of the people,” Kelley said. “… I think if there’s ways that we can help with, we definitely need to look at it.”

The commission is meeting with a private ambulance service to potentially serve communities that don’t have their own ambulances.

“I’m definitely for an ambulance service because we need one,” said Cooper resident Vaughn Easterling.

Easterling has personal experience with the need. His wife was in an accident a few years ago, and he had to call an ambulance.

“It took like 23 minutes for an ambulance to get to our house, so it was a good wait,” Easterling said.

The county is exploring options to pay for the service. One that has been discussed is a $15 fee for registered vehicles in the county. That’s something Easterling doesn’t support.

“You got a lot of people on fixed incomes,” Easterling said. “That’s a lot of money for them.”

A spokesperson for Regional Paramedical Services, an ambulance company, said right now it services all of Chilton County. But without a contract in place, Regional Paramedical Services can’t provide as many ambulances to the county as it would like to.

The Chilton County Commission is having a work session Tuesday to explore options for ambulance services. Kelley said before any decisions are made, a county-wide vote will be held.

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