MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature on Wednesday approved a certified ambulance service, which lawmakers say should lead to more revenue for their emergency medical services and turn around the financially struggling county fly car program.
The move would allow the addition of another ambulance to the system, with county emergency services officials being able to start billing Medicaid for calls.
The vote on the proposal was 15 to 3, with Jamestown’s Chuck Nazzaro recusing himself from the vote due to his employment with UPMC Chautauqua – which also provides EMS services.
The three who voted against the proposal were Daniel Pavlock of Sinclairville, Jay Gould of Ashville, and Mark Odell of Brocton – who told WRFA after the vote that EMS volunteers in his district have expressed concern over the program, saying it would create a chilling effect for volunteers who may be reluctant to respond to an emergency call – especially in the evening or overnight – knowing there are now county workers who would be paid to do so.
The legislature also approved Borrello’s proposal to fund $45,000 out of the county’s bed tax money for a study to create a Ripley Gateway/Commerce Center.
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