For several months Mitchell County commissioners have not been satisfied with the fulfillment of their new EMS provider contract. The County contracted with Lifeguard Ambulance Service in early 2020 at a cost of $1.35 million annually for five years.
Over the past several months problems have arisen over the number of emergency vehicles available in the county. On January 19 Commissioners decided to give Lifeguard a 180 day termination notice. The motion passed in a 3-2 vote with Jeff Harding, Harley Masters and Vern Grindstaff voting for. Steve Pitman and Brandon Pitman voted against.
The board met with Watauga Medics, which is based in Boone and provides medical services to Ashe, Watauga and Madison counties. Watauga Medic’s bid last year was $85,000 more than Lifeguard’s. Their representative said that they would, if they got the contract, offer everyone a job at the same rate of pay or higher with comparable benefits. Commissioners plan a special meeting with the local paramedics to receive their input.
