COLE COUNTY - Capital Region EMS currently operates ambulances, but is looking to pull out of the business.

 

So for now, Cole County is looking for a new ambulance service.

A special seven member committee is looking at six options for ambulance service after the change, but no one seems to agree on which one to choose. The committee is busy researching all six of its options based on four conditions.

One option is to use the pre-existing fire districts to determine ambulance coverage.

One firefighter doesn't think that's the best choice. "Right now there is an operating ambulance service in place. To try to eliminate that and to take time to train people, you're talking a couple years," Regional West firefighter Jack Brady said. "You can't go without ambulance services for a couple of years."

The current firefighter personnel status is one of the four conditions the committee thinks is a must have. It also wants to maintain local control of the service and have the service's revenue maintain or exceed expenses. Which is why the committee is thoroughly looking at all its options.

"We're sure enough going to get the pros and cons of all of this and then submit it back to our bigger group for a full discussion and ultimately recommendation," said Steve Rasmussen, Jefferson City's Administrator.
Other possible plans include hospital-based EMS services and privately owned companies.

Cole County has four fire districts along with the Jefferson City Fire Department. The change from Capital Region will cost Cole County residents more in taxes, depending on which option the county chooses.

_{Reported by: Jessa Lewis}