Gold Cross contract back up for commission consideration | The Augusta Chronicle

Proposed changes to the city’s new contract with provider Gold Cross EMS are up for consideration today by the Augusta Commission, but some in the business say they might not go far enough to protect residents.

The key terms, presented by City Administrator Fred Russell last week, provide for Gold Cross to maintain in Richmond County 10 staffed ambulances from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with six equipped for Advanced Life Support, and six ambulances from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., with four equipped for ALS.

Charles Masters, the vice president of the Augusta Firefighters Association and one of numerous city firefighters who moonlights for an ambulance company, said the number of ambulances is insufficient, while the key terms continue to lack sufficient controls to monitor Gold Cross’ performance, a complaint raised by Fire Chief Chris James last year.

“There’s no way in Augusta, Ga., you can run six ambulances at night. That would be absolutely EMS suicide,” Masters said.

via Gold Cross contract back up for commission consideration | The Augusta Chronicle.