Hartselle switches ambulance services

County EMS will no longer serve the ambulance needs for the City of Hartselle 30 days after today.

During a work session Monday night, Hartselle Fire Chief Steve Shelton said the city’s EMS committee recommended 6-0 that the city rescind its agreement with County EMS and enter into an agreement with Crossroads EMS of Somerville.

The council approved the committee’s recommendation.

Shelton said it was in the best interest of the city to change the agreement to Crossroads EMS. Last week, the Town of Falkville also changed its ambulance service from County EMS to Crossroads EMS.

“We felt like it was in the best interest of the city that we go with Crossroads EMS,” Shelton said.

In February, Mayor Don Hall suggested that the city reopen the search for an ambulance provider after County EMS had three of its five ambulances repossessed in January. At an April meeting, the city council was going to continue working with County EMS based on a 4-2 vote by the EMS committee.

Prior to that city council meeting, the city received information, which made the council table the decision at the advice of City Attorney Larry Madison.

Shelton said that if the decided to make the change, he will send a letter to County EMS today, giving them a 30-day notice for ending the agreement.

Shelton said the ambulance provider is “no real contract” but is an agreement that is can be renewed on an annual basis each January.