Air Evac Membership May Be Provided for County Employees
A representative from Air Evac Lifeteam spoke to the county commissioners’ court May 11 about providing air ambulance coverage for county employees. A basic membership would cost $50 per individual per year, with coverage for a spouse an additional $5 and up to three kids for $10 more. The coverage includes kids in college. This “Corporate” plan would give coverage anywhere, on or off the job. Coverage for spouse and children would be paid for by the employee. There was mention of providing coverage for county volunteers, as well. The county’s cost would be $1450 annually for its current 29 employees with the “Corporate” plan.
A $10 per individual “On-site” plan would cover employees only while they are working.
The coverage is like insurance, and provides no-cost air ambulance service if needed in an emergency. The representative, Mary Frances Malone, said a recent transport between two hospitals performed by another company cost the patient $19,000 --- and would have been covered with an Air Evac membership. She said the coverage is specifically for rural areas, which usually do not have access to insurance plans for air ambulance service.
The court took no action in the matter, but Commissioner Michael Hoch said they might consider it in the next budget.
The service has a base in Big Spring, with four pilots stationed there. Malone said one of them flew President Bush’s helicopter when Bush was in office, and said all are highly qualified. She said when you get the Air Evac helicopter, you’re getting a mini-Intensive Care Unit, complete with sophisticated equipment, an EMT and a critical care nurse in addition to the pilot.
Malone said the company has a great relationship with Glasscock County EMS personnel, and lots of members here already. The service is available to anyone in the county. For more information, or for membership materials, call Malone at 432/268-9906.
Sheriff’s Department Car in Collision
Sheriff Keith Burnett reported that the department’s Crown Victoria was wrecked in a collision with a deer the evening of May 10 on County Road 110. He said repair would consist of a fender, radiator, condenser, hood and lights. It is up for replacement in the normal rotation in October. There was some question as to whether to repair the vehicle – County Treasurer Alan Dierschke was to report the collision to the county’s insurance carrier and then someone would decide what to do about repair.
County Judge Wilburn Bednar said he’s been fussing about the carpet in the county courtroom for a long time, and thinks it would be nice to have it replaced before the upcoming murder trial, which is now scheduled for the last week in June. He is to get bids on the work.
County Agent Rebel Royall said the school has loaned him a Suburban to take several kids to the State 4-H Roundup, and he will rent a small trailer for luggage.
The court accepted the bid from First National Bank of Sterling City, Garden City Branch, for its depository contract. Dierschke reported that the interest rate will be .10 percent. He said by state law, if there is a bank in the county, county government is required to use that bank as its depository.