The terms of the county’s contract with Ambulance Services of Lexington Inc., doing business as Patrick County EMS, sets requirements for staffing, response times, and compliance with state and federal regulations.
Key Terms of the contract
- Exclusive provider: Patrick County EMS is granted the sole right to provide ground-based ambulance service countywide. Air ambulance operations are not included.
- Response standards: The company must use its best efforts to respond as quickly as possible to calls and make reasonable efforts to staff three ambulances at all times, with a minimum of two available for 911 calls.
- Training: All personnel hired by Patrick County EMS will receive advanced training at the company’s expense.
- County costs: The county will pay fair market rates for services provided to on-duty employees and inmates, limited to the lowest Medicare-allowed amount per transport plus mileage, with a one mile minimum charge.
- Regulations: Services must comply with all applicable state and federal rules, as well as standards set by the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of EMS and other accrediting bodies as necessary.
- Indemnity clause: The county must indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Patrick County EMS against certain claims related to county actions or personnel.
- Assets: Patrick County will transfer agreed-upon assets to Patrick County EMS. If the company ceases service, the county retains first right of refusal to buy back county-owned or newly purchased equipment at fair market value, less depreciation.
- Employee leases: Patrick County EMS may enter into agreements to lease county employees under mutually satisfactory terms.
- Entire agreement: The contract supersedes all prior written or oral agreements between the county and the company.
