Council passes ordinance granting exclusivity to Champion Emergency Medical Services

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Marlene J. Bohr 
 
The Daingerfield City Council passed an ordinance granting exclusivity to Champion Emergency Medical Services for the ambulance service area of the city of Daingerfield. The council made this decision at its May 12 council meeting. 
 
Arnie Spiers, an official with Champion Emergency Medical Services, spoke to the council explaining the reason for the requested ordinance.
 
Although the city has a contract with Champion, an ordinance granting them the exclusive rights in the city of Daingerfield was needed. 
 
“Champion’s position is that you have services throughout East Texas that we work with,” he said. “You have small services that only staff when the calls are there; we have to staff our service 24-7. When you have service that only staffs for the paying calls, it takes away from the bottom line of our service. We are asking you to stop the ‘cream skimmers’ and take them off those calls. This ordinance allows some type of control. Without the ordinance, the city cannot say they can’t do that.
 
“We have a contract in place that is for 12 more years. We are not here to say we are breaking that contract. We are asking for help with other services coming in and ‘cream skimming’ the calls. We run all calls and calls for people who have no insurance and where there is no profit for us.”
 
Mr. Spiers explained the levels of ambulance services and the professionals that staff them. “Tiger EMS is at the lowest level of service they are able to provide,” Mr. Spiers said. “There is a vast difference in the level of service provided by Champion and the other service. I have met the owner of The Springs and Windsor Place and I have been saying ‘help me.’ I am asking for their help first.”
 
Councilwoman Laura Mabey said this ordinance gives some teeth so the police can ticket violators. Daingerfield Police Chief Tracey Climer informed the city of the status of the possibility of another grant for T.J. Frazier, the school resource officer.

Read more in our e-edition: http://www.etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Daingerfield1//Magazine53760/Full/index.aspx?id=53760

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