One of the new Mitchell Medics EMS vehicles sits outside of the Historic Courthouse in downtown Bakersville on Monday, June 7 before a regular meeting of the Mitchell County Commissioners. Bryant Reid said Mitchell Medics is targeting a complete transition of EMS services by July 1. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)
BAKERSVILLE — Mitchell Medics EMS Director Bryant Reid hopes to provide a smooth transition of EMS services starting July 1.
During the regular meeting of the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners on Monday, June 7, Reid provided an EMS update and said he is looking forward to working with county staff as he helps keep Mitchell Medics on track to go fully live on July 1.
Reid provided information on the upcoming transition and the necessary steps to ensure that Mitchell Medics remains on track for a smooth transition, which Reid said will consist of completing all requirements to establish EMS service and gathering and setting up all necessary equipment and vendor resources.
It will also consist of working with other county departments to establish an effective and timely operation, as well as training all new and current staff members on new and upcoming changes in protocol.
“We don’t want to set them up for failure,” Reid said. “We want to make sure they have the tools.”
Administration training is estimated to be completed by June 8, with administration configurations following closely behind to be done by June 11.
Reid said the new Mitchell Medics ambulances are expected to be received by June 18 and should be organized and stocked between June 21-25 and should be ready for service on July 1.
Reid added that all of the full-time staff members from Lifeguard have given verbal commitments to stay on board and “most” part-timers will return.
“One of our primary goals was to sit down with all staff members,” Reid said. “We’ve talked with almost every single one and sat down with most.”
Reid said he still plans to add about four full-time employees and several part-time workers. Mitchell Medics finalized its recruitment packet this past week and is expected to begin advertising the open positions this week.
Additionally, Reid showed the commissioners the new design of the ambulances, which are accented with purple and contain the Mitchell Mountaineers logo.
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners terminated Lifeguard as the county’s EMS provider this past January after several months of contention. The commissioners have spent the past several months closing in on a deal with Watauga Medics, which eventually came to fruition and led to the establishment of the now existing Mitchell Medics, LLC.
“Please feel free to contact me with any questions,” Reid said. “We’re really excited about this opportunity.”