Ambulance services in Fort Mill, River Hills getting a closer look
As the northeast part of York County continues to grow, local emergency management officials are looking at addressing the issue of multiple ambulances being dispatched on calls where the extra service is not necessary.
York County Emergency Management Director Cotton Howell tells WRHI the problem is nothing new, but it needs to be addressed.
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Right now, Rock Hill-based Piedmont Medical Center’s ambulance service is contractually obligated to respond to every medically related call for service, and in some unincorporated areas of York County — specifically in River Hill and Fort Mill — local rescue squads respond as well.
[audio: 0125-Howell-B.mp3]Howell says there’s not a clear way to solve this issue, as there’s a financial incentive for local rescue squads to transport patients to the Emergency Room.
He says the issue, to be effectively handled, requires an objective look at how medical calls are serviced in York County.
[audio: 0125-Howell-C.mp3]And Howell says the decision has to be made regardless of whoever builds a future hospital in Fort Mill.
[audio: 0125-Howell-D.mp3]He does, however, say that the quality of care is not an issue — as many of the EMTs and Paramedics who staff the Piedmont Service volunteer with the rescue squads on their days off.
