Dale Commission OKs $25,000 to Echo EMS

The Echo Emergency Medical Service received a $25,000 appropriation from the Dale County Commission at the meeting Jan. 25.

The appropriation was made at the request of Dale County Commissioner Frankie Wilson who told the commissioners that he, Dale County Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon and Echo EMS Director Heath Hughes had met to discuss “some financial help.”

“Like most EMS services theyt have been in trouble in the last two years keeping their heads above water,” Wilson told the commission. “It’s a statewide problem. After the meeting, Steve (McKinnon) and I agreed to put it on the (commission) agenda.

“As you know, Echo is not in a town limit, city limit or incorporated area. They are solely in the county,” Wilson said. “They receive no subsidy from any governmental agency like some EMS services do—and should. That was why the request was made for some assistance short term. We did talk about some long term goals for things that may could be put in place, not only for Echo EMS, but also for other departments in the county that are struggling.”

“They do not have a city in their region that helps them participate in the rescue business,” McKinnon added. “It’s going to be an appropriation like we do to all the rescue squads every year. This is just going to be a larger one.”

“Let me remind you, Daleville EMS and South Dale EMS, you all service areas that have a town council,” Wilson added. “I encourage you to reach out to your municipality and hopefully get some monthly and yearly financial support from the towns you serve.”

McKinnon said that the county is awaiting clarification for exactly how the federal COVID relief funds can be spent to assist emergency medical service organizations in the county. “The state (legislature) is in special session right now. They have a bill that started out as $15 million to EMS and fire which has increased to $25 million.”

McKinnon said a commission work session set for Feb. 8 will begin at 9 a.m. with representatives from the Invest In Alabama Counties to clarify and define how the relief funds can be allocated to better assist EMS organizations throughout the county.

The American Rescue Plan is a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that was signed into law in March 2021. Dale County is allocated nearly $10 million under the plan and at the April 27, 2021 commission meeting agreed to partner with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama for its administration.

The “Investing in Alabama Counties” program will help guide counties through best use of the federal funding received under the American Rescue Plan Act, according to Dale County Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon. “They will help us best utilize the federal funding.”

McKinnon stressed that everyone interested is invited to attend the commission work session that begins at 9 a.m.

Commissioner Chris Carroll asked Wilson what long term plans are being put into place by the Echo EMS to correct the financial problems. “Nothing right now but, of course, overtime is a big factor and trying to keep help,” Wilson replied.

Commissioner Charles “Chic” Gary, in whose district South Dale EMS operates, noted that the two-year-old EMS there is “having growing pains.

“On the south end of the county, we struggle there financially also,” Gary said. “Of course, we have five municipalities there—we’ve had two of them to contribute (to the EMS).’”

McKinnon said that the $25,000 appropriation is “a a band aid until we get things clarified Tuesday (Feb. 8.)”

The next meeting of the Dale County Commission is Feb. 8 in the government building in Ozark. A work session begins at 9 a.m. and is followed immediately by a voting meeting. Both meetings are open to the public.