Updated 10/31/19

A new Ambulance Service building site has been proposed while the county applies for a grant.

During the October Ambulance Service Committee meeting, Executive Melissa Greene suggested moving the Ambulance Service from East Madison Street to the site of Giles County Fire and Rescue’s Pulaski Station on Industrial Loop Road.

The proposal is Giles County Fire and Rescue would be relocated to the State Department of Transportation and behind the Giles County Animal Shelter.

Greene said this is contingent on getting the grant. Results of the grant application will not be known for months, possibly a year, she added.

According to Josh Fralix, chief of the GCFR organization, they could use a larger building because the building is crammed full of equipment and we need more space in the training room.

Giles County Commissioner Roger Reedy said he had been approached by David Hamilton, director of the Giles County Economic Development Commission, if the county may be interested in using 1.5 acres near SaarGummi in the Dan Speer Industrial Park South for an ambulance service building.

EMS Director Roy Griggs said traffic from workers entering and leaving the industrial park during shift changes would not hinder emergency vehicles.

Committee members agreed that ambulance transport is important and needed, but members also noted that the service costs the county more than $600,000 a year.

A representative of Mars Billing, which helps the county manage account receivables, suggested the county raise all its fees to the state average to generate more revenue.

The Committee members also recommended a revised policy of charging for Ambulance Service personnel and equipment at special events to the county commission’s Budget Committee.

Suggestion was charging $100 an hour for employees and $100 per vehicle such as a Tahoe-ATV or car.