(Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in our March 14 edition but is being repeated because a portion of the final paragraph was inadvertently omitted).

The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners voted during their Monday, March 13 meeting to move forward regarding the calling of an election for the formation of a county- wide ambulance district, known as a 522 EMS District, to cover all of Seminole County. Although they did not set a specific date, they were looking at possibly making the actual call, which is a two-month process, in April so the actual vote would take place in June.

Providing adequate ambulance service county-wide has been a topic of discussion since August, 2021, when a special election changed the way that the county’s quarter-cent EMS tax is distributed.

This issue was complicated even further when Prague changed their ambulance service. The previous service in Prague had also covered a portion of northern Seminole County that includes a section of I-40 but the new service did not extend past the county line.

Another issue is ambulance service in Konawa, where they are continuing to negotiate with Ada Mercy to provide their service, with their current contract due to expire on April 1.

During the January 3 commissioner’s meeting City of Seminole Fire Chief Fielding Lucas explained to the commissioners that the EMS services in the county are overwhelmed, with a record number of 3,700 calls in the past year. Just finding quality EMS workers is a challenge, as is finding funds for equipment and other needs. He noted that is costs, on average, a minimum of $400,000 a year to operate an ambulance for one year. This includes the ambulance itself as well as the personnel and equipment on the ambulance. He added that they have to respond to each call they receive; they don’t have the option of saying no.

The Monday discussion was led by Stuart B. England, Attorney for Floyd and Driver, PLLC. England began by explaining an ambulance district, known as a 522 EMS District, is formed by an election and can be as large or as small as wanted. It can cover all of the county or just part of a county. He stated he knows of one 522 District that follows a school district’s boundaries. Everyone within the district lines that are decided on gets to vote for or against it. They can also vote on a levy to support the 522 district up to, but no more than, 3 mil.

If voters do approve a 522 district, the County Commissioners will appoint a board of trustees with at least 5 members. This board will basically be allowed to do whatever it legally takes to keep the service running.

England repeatedly stressed the need to have a fleshed-out plan in place before they decide to call for an election. This includes an idea of who will be on the board of trustees as well as details that includes the number of ambulances and where they will be housed, what kind of equipment will they have, as well as a budget perspective for the district. England shared his observation that there is currently a lag in the time between when equipment is ordered and when it arrives, so there needs to be a realistic timeline for getting the district up and running.

“Having that plan fully fleshed out, in place, and knowing exactly what it is you’re going to accomplish is going to be absolutely critical,” England stated. He strongly advised the commissioners to visit with other county-wide districts to get a better idea of what they do, warning it is not a light lift. Starting a new district from scratch is always a challenge.

Although all of the county will benefit, it was agreed that at this time there is a lot of concern about the situation in Konawa and what effect it will have on the Seminole and Wewoka services if Mercy pulls out in April. There was no representative from Konawa at the meeting.

England observed that the very earliest election call date is in April, which means it would be at the very least June 13 before the proposition can be put on a ballot, and it will then take considerable time before the new EMS system can actually be put in place and operating.

The board of trustees will have the power to contract, hire executive directors, set the fees, acquire the equipment, and do all the things they need to do to be successful, England explained, before pointing out once again that the board is appointed by the County Commissioners.

England also explained that, even after a 522 district is formed, they can choose to carve out a portion, or a portion can carve itself out. For example, should Wewoka determine they are better off providing their own ambulance service, the City of Wewoka can hold an election of their voters and, if approved, leave the 522 district and no longer pay the milage, although they would no longer receive a portion of the milage, either. However, he added, he has never seen this happen before.

“One thing to remember with all of this is that it is 100 percent up to the voters at the end of the day. There’s no way to mandate one (522 district) except through this process. We know there’s a need – that’s obvious. But is this something people are going to support? Do THEY view it as enough of a need to get it over the line?”