Horry County is considering franchising private ambulance companies to help maintain overtime costs; however some say the proposal is not fair to businesses.
During the public safety meeting last Wednesday, Horry County Fire Chief, Fred Crosby, said one of the biggest reasons for this push now is to be ready for Memorial Day and Bike Fest.
“We feel like we need to put up significantly more resources with the traffic loop to cover and what we are looking at doing is bringing in more ambulances for that special event,” said Crosby.
Crosby says the county does not have the funds for extra resources needed for events like Bike Fest.
Under the proposed ordinance private ambulance companies would be tapped during times of emergency or extreme need.
The ordinance also states an ambulance company would have to pay the county $1,000 to franchise plus $100 for each ambulance it operates.
The only return promised to private companies is EMS service costs from customers.
If the ordinance passed the way it was written, private ambulance companies would be required to franchise with the county or they would not be permitted to operate.
Horry County Council Members Marion Foxworth and Bob Grabowski questioned the fairness to business owners.
News 13 reached out to every single private ambulance company listed on yellow pages for Horry County, many did not answer, some were no longer in service, and the ones who did answer refused speak on camera.
One owner who wished to remain anonymous said as a private company his team is already busy enough with its own clients and has no interest in picking up the county’s over time slack.
