Jefferson County Supervisors Lee Dimmitt and Joe Ledger, Ambulance Director Josh Hemminger, and leadership from Jefferson County Health Center, including CEO Bryan Hunger, met Wednesday morning to strengthen communication and improve how ambulance transfers are handled going forward.
A key change discussed would have hospital nursing staff call county dispatch for patient transfers rather than contacting the ambulance service directly. Under this protocol, ambulance crews would then follow up to determine whether to accept the call.
Officials emphasized that ambulance crews are not required to accept every transfer and have the discretion to determine whether to take or decline a call.
The two sides discussed how to distinguish between critical and non-critical transfers, acknowledging that defining those categories isn’t always straightforward, as each side has different perspectives on what constitutes an emergency situation.
Hemminger indicated the ambulance service would prefer not to run non-emergency transports between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., noting the potential impact on crew safety due to fatigue during overnight hours.
Hemminger is exploring the purchase of a transit van for lower-risk and mental health transports. This would free fully equipped ambulances and emergency medical crews for true emergencies while still providing necessary transportation for patients who don’t require emergency medical intervention.
Both sides acknowledged past misunderstandings but agreed the meeting was productive and a positive step toward working together more effectively.
The improved communication protocols and clearer definitions are expected to benefit both the hospital and ambulance service while ensuring appropriate emergency response for Jefferson County residents.
