After a contentious meeting that lasted almost two hours, the Augusta Commission deadlocked on approving a contract with Gold Cross EMS to continue service in the consolidated city.
Meanwhile, Gold Cross has submitted its resignation to the Georgia Board of Health, according to Augusta Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Garrett and Gold Cross Vice President Steven Vincent.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson says that while he acknowledges the city is in a crisis in terms of now having to come up with a new plan for emergency services, no one should be worried about receiving immediate care if necessary.
“I am displeased, of course, that the commission could not reach a consensus, but that does not mean that calls to 911 will go unanswered. We will figure this thing out. I am disappointed, but we still have room to negotiate,” Johnson said.
District 5 Commissioner Bobby Williams led the effort to sever ties with Gold Cross EMS.
The message from Vincent to Richmond County Commissioners is below.
“In accordance with Georgia Department of Public Heath (“DPH”) Rule 511-9-2-.04(4)(a)(2), Gold Cross EMS, Inc., (“Gold Cross”) as the designated 911 Zone Provider for Richmond County, Georgia, hereby notifies DPH that it intends to voluntarily surrender its designation status for its assigned Emergency Response Zone in Richmond County, Georgia, effective immediately.
Gold Cross will continue as 911 Zone Provider for Columbia County.”
There was adolescent behavior at best, during this VERY SAD called meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission. The District 5 Commissioner tried his BEST to get the Fire Chief to agree that Gold Cross would continue service to ARC for “months”. NOPE. As Steven Vincent explained, there are not Emergency Service providers “just waiting in the wind”. Completely embarrassing. Oh yeah, and once again, the District 5 Commission pulled the “ABSTAIN” card. To the constituents of the Commissioners that voted “NOABSTAIN”, Good Luck !
NO/ABSTAIN
Now what??? Oh, maybe the mayor can volunteer his vehicle as an Emergency Responder. Is it big enough to carry a stretcher?
Sorry Tim, Mayor Johnson tuned in Hardie’s Suburban, right after he took office. It DOES have hidden lights.
These problems will continue until the city charter is reformed.
Took them no time showing the new mayor who is really in charge.
Pitiful
How much palm greasing will go into this new emergency services deal?
Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Oh, they will not come!! The A/RC Commission is a Barnum and Bailey Circus. Clowns, and slight of hand ‘representatives, elected by mostly east side, and south Richmond County clowns, and slight of hand uneducated voters who have absolutely ‘no skin in the game.’
I trust that propery taxes should drop because of no ambulance service in Richmond couof nty as well as 911 should be able to cut employees because of less calls. This needs to happen and I will explore every tax law in the state of Ga. to see if this is required. Less service means less money spent, should go back to taxpayers.
The commission is trying to wean us off our nanny state dependency. You will need a firearm and ammunition to protect yourself, a combat trauma kit and EMT training to treat your illness and injury, 600 feet of 2-inch fire hose to reach the nearest fire hydrant, plus nozzles and wrenches, bunker gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus, a garden and chickens, a portable generator, and a burn barrel for your trash.
The despicable behavior should not be tolerated! Augusta residents deserve better!!