The Tyler County Commission has unanimously approved a new plan regarding emergency medical services provided by the Middlebourne EMS.

According to a copy of the plan approved Jan. 14, the commission provides emergency medical services through the Tyler County EMS for a portion of Tyler County, but has authorized the remainder of the county to be covered by the Middlebourne EMS.

“To ensure the Middlebourne EMS is providing emergency medical services in accordance with West Virginia state law and the applicable standards of care,” the commission is imposing the following: all ambulances will carry a minimum of an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician and a paramedic.

The EMS station must be staffed with an EMT, advanced EMT and paramedic 24 hours a day, seven days a week “with the immediate goal of being en route from the service center within 2 minutes of receiving any 911 dispatch call.”

“Effective immediately, should MEMS be dispatched to a scene, but the responding ambulance cannot meet above requirements, or the ambulance cannot be en route with the above required personnel within two minutes of receiving the call, the person in charge shall immediately call 911 dispatch and advise of the situation and request that Tyler County EMS respond to the call,” the plan states.

The plan also calls for the Middlebourne EMS to submit proposed expenditures of more than $15,000 for competitive bidding. And expenditures of more than $25,000 need to be approved by the commission for approval.

“At no time shall any purchase or expenditure be made for other than which the levy was intended,” the plan states.

The commission’s plan also calls for the Middlebourne EMS to submit a copy of its bylaws and other documents to the commission, along with proof of general liability insurance for EMS providers.

“MEMS shall have 30 days (Feb. 14) to prepare to implement this plan. Implementation of the plan must start on or before Feb. 15. After 60 days (March 14), the commission will review the actions of MEMS and determine if MEMS has complied with the plan,” according to a copy of the plan. “Should the commission determine that MEMS has not complied with the plan, the Tyler County Commission will take further corrective action which may include removing MEMS from the 911 rotation.”

The plan was approved and signed by Tyler County Commissioners Eric Vincent, Lance Hickman and Michael Smith.

The following press statement regarding the plan was provided Jan. 17 by Toriseva Law, legal counsel for the commission:

“The Tyler County Commission has a legal duty to provide emergency medical services to

all citizens of Tyler County. According to West Virginia law, the Commission has the exclusive

authority to determine how those emergency medical services are provided to the citizens.

“The Tyler County Commission has issued a written request to Middlebourne EMS

requesting that it address staffing and response times when a citizen calls for emergency services.

“This plan is meant to create a framework for Middlebourne EMS so corrections can be made that benefit the citizens of Tyler County. This plan allows time for MEMS to address the issues outlined in the plan. During this period and into the future, no emergency medical services will be interrupted.

“The Tyler County Commission has no ability to dissolve Middlebourne EMS or stop it from undertaking hospital transfers as those transfers are the responsibility of the hospital that requests it.

“The Tyler County Commission is doing its job, following the law, and taking seriously its

duty to provide emergency medical services to the citizens of Tyler County.”