EMS rates are increasing in Fannin County

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EMS rates

BLUE RIDGE, Ga – The billing rates for emergency medical services (EMS) in Fannin County will be increasing for the first time in 10 years.

The increase will still put Fannin below the average prices of surrounding counties like Gilmer and Pickens. One reason for the rise in rates is inflation. PPE products have fallen victim to inflation much like groceries, cars, and building materials. The cost of gloves went from $75 per case to $160 per case.

“The main thing that is going to increase a little bit is specialty care. The more drugs and the more critical a patient is the more we have to do,” EMS Director Becky Huffman explained. “Mostly, we’re right along now with what Medicare will allow. We’ll be a little bit above that but speaking with our billing she said most people have supplemental insurances and they will pick up the difference.”

The new rates would help offset costs with people who utilize the service but don’t pay taxes in Fannin. In some instances, the increase would be $100, and the mile cost is up by $3 to $13 per mile.

New rates breakdown

The new advanced life support specialty care rate ($800) in Fannin is less than half of what Pickens charges for the same service.

N95 masks cost the department more than $1,000 and they’re required to use N95 masks on every call. EMS workers are trying to reuse masks when possible and looking into purchasing respirator masks as a permanent option. However, Huffman wants to find one that will last before purchasing a new product.

“I think we go ahead and increase it. We’ll still be lower than other counties,” Post Two Glenn Patterson stated.

Post One Johnny Scearce echoed a similar sentiment, expressing he’s “all for it.”

The county EMS doesn’t receive reimbursement from the hospital if an ambulance transports an individual from the hospital elsewhere. Fannin owns four ambulances to service the county so it’s a strain to transport people outside of the county from the hospital.

Fannin Regional Hospital is working with Prestige to transport people from its facility, but Prestige doesn’t have a Georgia license at this point. Once the state of Georgia grants Prestige a license, it will take some stress off Fannin EMS.

The commissioners approved the purchase of two power stretchers and one stair chair for the EMS Department as well. The cost comes out of the SPLOST budget for $4,100.

Public Works

Fannin Commissioners approved the purchase of a used bucket truck for the road department to assist with cutting down dead trees and limbs. The purchase comes out of SPLOST funds for $45,000.

Public Works Director Zack Ratcliffe assured the truck was in good condition and he’s talking with Tri-State EMC so the piece of equipment can receive regular testing.

Another SPLOST purchase of $50,000 was approved for striping in the county. The cost of striping roads is up because of the scarcity of product. Only one facility in Texas services most of the southeast with striping paint.

Ratcliffe added that all bridges in Fannin County are safe and GDOT inspected. All bridges must be inspected by GDOT every two years.

Phyllis Matthews was appointed to the Tax Assessor Board by Post One Johnny Scearce after Casey Eaton had to step down from the role.

Deputy Director Darrell Payne retires after 38 years

Community, News
Darrell Payne retirement

BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Deputy Director Darrell Payne stated it’s been an honor to serve the people of Fannin as part of emergency services.

Payne’s seen EMS goes through several changes over the years and commended EMS employees and volunteers for their efforts. He added that Fannin has one of the best EMS departments in the state.

“It’s a role that you never know what you’re going to see when you go out there,” Chairman Jamie Hensley said, “We appreciate the job you’ve done for this county.”

Post One Johnny Scearce detailed his experiences working with Payne since they first started in their respective departments. He told Payne, “It has been an honor.”

EMA Director Robert Graham gave Payne a watch to recognize his years of service.

Becky Huffman will be replacing Payne as EMS deputy director. Huffman’s the first female to hold the role.

Hensley explained that several people interviewed for the position, and everyone brought something unique to the role. However, Huffman earned the job.

“She doesn’t care to come in there and tell me how she feels, sometimes that’s good, sometimes that bad. I appreciate that about her. I think she sees both sides and she’s going to do what’s best for both,” Hensley commented.

Huffman’s first order of business in her new role was to ask permission to bid out to replace an existing ambulance. They need to replace a truck and then remount the existing ambulance box on a new chassis.

Fire Department Update

Fire Chief Larry Thomas gave a good update concerning ISO rating. After speaking with the inspection manager, Fannin is expected to drop back down to a 5/5x rating. The new number will be published in November 2021.

COVID-19 resulted in a slow down of processing rate updates, but the manager told Thomas that he was pushing Fannin through.

“It takes work of water departments, 911, and the fire department. Everybody’s involved,” Thomas explained about the process.

Hensley asked for Thomas to create a list of all the steps necessary to drop down to a 4 ISO rating. It would give the commissioners a tangible goal to strive for in the future.

Thomas also presented quotes for a new squad vehicle and moving the current car into more of a utility vehicle role. The county approved the purchase of the lower quote from Blue Ridge Ford for $32,700.

Positive news concerning COVID-19 in Fannin

News
COVID-19 positive

BLUE RIDGE, Ga: The status of COVID-19 in Fannin appears to be trending in the right direction as positive cases begin to drop and vaccine providers become more readily available.

According to EMA Director Robert Graham, 11 percent of tests are coming back positive, but the health department is no longer giving COVID-19 tests. As a result, the capacity for administering tests might have decreased. The state still considers Fannin to be a high transmission county.

The health department transitioned to providing vaccines and partnered with the Kiwanis Club to use their fairgrounds as a vaccine location. Five days a week, the health department takes scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the fairgrounds. However, no one can currently sign up for a vaccine reservation because the health department’s waiting on more vaccines.

Vaccine availability depends on national supply. North Georgia Health Department spokesperson stated “We urge residents who are eligible for the vaccine but have not yet registered for an appointment to monitor our website and social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates as additional appointment times become available. All existing appointments are still valid.

“Definitely want to thank the Kiwanis Club for working with us. I think it’s a testament to our community that we were able to reach out to someone like that, and they were more than gracious to help us out. We needed a large facility like that,” Chairman Jamie Hensley stated.

On Tuesday, February 9, Fannin had a total of 18,062 cases, with 133 confirmed over the last 14 days. The COVID-19 variant hasn’t reached the county yet. Health officials claimed the current vaccine protects against the variant as well.

At the Fannin Regional Hospital, 15 percent of total visits are COVID-19 related. ICU capacity is between 80 to 100 percent with extended stays in the unit. The hospital’s experiencing 70 percent capacity on the medical-surgical wing, but bed availability increased over the last 24 hours. On any given day, the pending positive cases for COVID-19 range from 30 percent to 80 percent.

On Tuesday, Fannin Regional issued 404 COVID-19 vaccines.

The state granted Fannin Fire and EMS vaccine provider status, and they’ve administered 522 doses with 600 doses order. However, half of the ordered amount will serve as second vaccinations.

“Whether we get it or not, I don’t know or how long it will be before we get it, but hopefully, we’ll get some of it coming in next week,” Graham said.

Fannin EMS’s list of individuals requesting the vaccine exceeds 270 as of Tuesday. More people call in each day.

Currently, only Phase1A+ Georgians can receive the vaccine, so people who are 65 and older, a caregiver of a senior citizen, healthcare workers, law enforcement, public safety, and first responders.

Once the state opens vaccine distribution to educators, Fannin EMS and schools have created a plan to vaccinate the district’s employees at the schools. To lighten the health department’s load, they’ve offered to vaccinate utility companies like Tri-State Electric.

Georgia’s setting up some mass vaccination sites around the state, but not close to Fannin for the moment, Graham added.

No one in the fire department, EMS, or 911 is currently COVID-19 positive. Graham believes it showcases the care his employees are taking with their health and others.

Georgia Mountains Health Services also offers the vaccine to patients who make an appointment.

 

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 4/28 – 5/4

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

April 28, 2019 thru May 4, 2019 Responses

M1: 28
M3: 13
M4: 19
M11: 27

Total: 87

Law: 373
Fire: 10
Rescue: 30

Total Emergency Calls: 482

Total Phone Calls to 911 Center (Emergency and Admin): 1947

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 5/5 – 5/11

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

May 5, 2019 thru May 11, 2019 Responses

M1: 35
M3: 11
M4: 25
M11: 25

Polk County: 1

Total: 97

Law: 403
Fire: 7
Rescue: 27

Total Emergency Calls: 507

Total Incoming Phone Calls (911 and Admin): 983

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 5/12 – 5/18

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

May 12, 2019 thru May 18, 2019 Responses

M1: 41
M3: 21
M4: 27
M11: 35

Total: 124

Law: 380
Fire: 8
Rescue: 30

Total Emergency Calls: 507

Total Incoming Phone Calls (911 and Admin): 857

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 4/21 – 4/27

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

April 21, 2019 thru April 27, 2019 Responses

M1: 39
M2: 1
M3: 9
M4: 19
M11: 31

Total: 99

Law: 346
Fire: 13
Rescue: 38

Total Emergency Calls: 462

Total Phone Calls to 911 Center (Emergency and Admin): 1781

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 3/24 – 3/30

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 24, 2019 thru March 30, 2019 Responses

M1: 29
M3: 12
M4: 25
M11: 28

Gilmer: 1
Union: 1

Total: 96

Law: 384
Fire: 12
Rescue: 23

Total Emergency Calls: 497

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 4/14 – 4/20

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

April 14, 2019 thru April 20, 2019 Responses

M-1. 31
M-3. 8
M-4. 17
M-11. 27
Total. 83 EMS Calls

Other totals are not available at this time.

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 3/3 – 3/9

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
181 Church St.
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 3, 2019 thru March 9, 2019 Responses

M1: 34
M3: 12
M4: 28
M11: 21

Total: 95

Law: 319
Fire: 7
Rescue: 19

Total Emergency Calls: 433

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report 03/17 to 03/23

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 17, 2019 thru March 23, 2019 Responses

M1: 33
M3: 9
M4: 29
M11: 24

Total: 95

Law: 368
Fire: 12
Rescue: 25

Total Emergency Calls: 477

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 3/10 – 3/16

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 10, 2019 thru March 16, 2019 Responses

M1: 47
M3: 13
M4: 31
M11: 22

Total: 113

Law: 359
Fire: 10
Rescue: 28

Total Emergency Calls: 505

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report 12/30 – 1/5

Fannin County EMA/EMS

From: Director Robert Graham
181 Church St.
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

December 30, 2018 thru January 5, 2019 Responses

M1: 43
M3: 19
M4: 28
M11: 38

Union EMS: 1

Total: 129

Law: 332
Fire: 7
Rescue: 42

Total Emergency Calls: 460

Total Calls: 1589

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 2/17 – 2/23

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
181 Church St.
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

February 17, 2019 thru February 23, 2019 Responses

M1: 45
M3: 26
M4: 35
M11: 24

Polk County EMS: 1

Total: 131

Law: 246
Fire: 6
Rescue: 24

Total Emergency Calls: 382

 

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report for 3/31 – 4/6

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
20 Station Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

March 31, 2019 thru April 6, 2019 Responses

M1: 34
M3: 21
M4: 35
M11: 35

Gilmer: 2
Union: 2

Total: 129

Law: 431
Fire: 9
Rescue: 33

Total Emergency Calls: 552

Total Phone Calls to 911 Center (Emergency and Admin): 1791

Fannin County EMA/EMS Weekly Report 1/6 – 1/12

Fannin County EMA/EMS

Fannin County EMA/EMS
Director Robert Graham
181 Church St.
Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513
706-632-1958
Fax 706-632-8003

January 6, 2019 thru January 12, 2019 Responses

M1: 37
M3: 13
M4: 20
M11: 25

Total: 95

Law: 311
Fire: 9
Rescue: 21

Total Emergency Calls: 410

Total Calls: 1326

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