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Officials seek options for unpaid ambulance runs

More efforts will be made to collect unpaid ambulance accounts before Marion County Commission will write-off the debt.

The commission made that decision Monday during the weekly meeting. Emergency medical services director Darryl Thiesen presented $4,700 in write-offs that were accrued during the past four months.

Thiesen said 60-70 percent of the bad debts were from local people. Multiple notices had been sent, he said, but people chose to ignore them.

Commissioner Randy Dallke asked if any of the statements were sent registered mail. Thiesen said they weren't.

"Let's do all means possible to collect," said Dallke, and suggested small claims court.

Thiesen said the department is limited to 10 filings per year.

Commission chairman Dan Holub suggested the sheriff's department deliver the statements. He asked if the debts could be added to property taxes like charges for spraying of noxious weeds.

Thiesen said he would consult with county attorney Susan Robson and other ambulance services for options.

In other department business:

— Thiesen reported there were 76 runs in June. Of those runs, Marion EMS responded 25 times, Hillsboro 23, Peabody 22, Tampa four, and Florence twice.

There were 24 medical emergencies, 13 transfers, 11 no transports, nine each motor vehicle accidents and falls, five standby, two cardiac, and one turn-back. Goessel first responders were called out five times and Lincolnville once. The Marion rescue truck was sent two times.

— An emergency medical technician class at Butler Community College has been postponed due to low enrollment.

— A Florence EMT class began June 27.

— Thiesen will participate in a countywide pandemic influenza workshop July 24.

— Three members of EMS will attend an emergency sports medicine seminar and a Kansas Emergency Medical Services Association convention.

— Thiesen requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.

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