Ambulance services approved

The City Council voted 4-1 in favor of approving a trust to oversee ambulance services at Monday's meeting.

The Western Payne County Ambulance Trust Authority is trying to find a way to continue providing emergency medical services to the Stillwater area.

"The purpose is to get a more representative organization to provide services to the surrounding area," said Jerry Moeller, Stillwater Medical Center President and CEO.

Moeller also went before the council to recommend the trust.

Whether to extend the contract with the Stillwater Fire Department for ambulance service or to bring in an outside contractor is the focal point of the debate about the future of the service.

Community activist Elvis Pennington said because the taxpayers paid to add ambulances to fire stations,  the service should remain with the fire department.

The Stillwater Fire Department owns six ambulances, including one spare and one for transfer to Tulsa or Oklahoma City.

Previously, Moeller said that this  was unlikely because it insisted on having fireman labor provide routine service.

"Now I get some indication the fire department is more flexible in allowing an EMS (emergency medical service) Level 1 provide routine service," Moeller said.

Moeller said an EMS Level 1 is capable of a routine call and the labor would be half of what a fireman is paid.

Pennington said with beginning fireman pay starting around $36,000, the likelihood of an EMS costing less and being non-unionized is slim.

"Even if it costs less, no outside contractor can provide the service that the Fire Department is currently providing," Pennington said.

Moeller indicated in the meeting that a contract won't be signed before the year is over and he is not committed to either the fire department or an outside contractor.

Mayor Nathan Bates cast the lone vote against the creation of the trust.

"Even if it costs less, no outside contractor can provide the service that the Fire Department is currently providing," Pennington said.

Moeller indicated in the meeting that a contract won't be signed before the year is over and he is not committed to either the Fire Department or an outside contractor.

Mayor Nathan Bates cast the lone vote against the creation of the trust.