Ambulance services have option to submit proposals for handling 911 calls in Clark County

From Clark County Judge Troy Tucker

The Clark County Judge’s Office learned Thursday, April 3, 2025, that Baptist Health has finalized a sale of their ambulance service with Pafford Medical Services, Inc. This was a private sale between two private companies.

Greg Stubblefield, Vice President at Baptist Health, has advised me that under the conditions of the sale, Pafford will continue to operate the same number and level of ambulances in Clark County as Baptist was currently providing. This sale becomes effective on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.

I have discussed the conditions of sale with Pafford owner, Jamie Pafford, and will enter into a temporary Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Pafford Medical Services for 90 days. During these 90 days, it is my intention to advertise for ambulance service for our 911 Emergency Services. This will allow any ambulance service the opportunity to present a proposal to be considered.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will focus on:

• Quality of Service
• Financial Stability
• Ambulance Operations
• Clinical Operations
• Dispatch Communication
• Equipment and Supplies
• Training and Continuing Education
• Patient Transport
• Performance Metrics and Reporting (1. Response Times; 2. On Scene Times; 3. Data Collection and Analysis)
• Community Needs (1. Service Area; 2. Coordination with other agencies; 3. Community Outreach)

The above is just an example of criteria that will be considered. This will allow each proposal to be evaluated on criteria that any provider should have available and willing to provide in the proposal.

Once the RFQ’s are returned for review a panel of community members will rate the RFQ’s. These ratings will ultimately factor into the decision to select an emergency service provider.

Lobbying of the Selection Committee will not be permitted by any proposer and could be grounds to reject the proposal. This would not prohibit contacting the County Judge’s Office or County Clerk for situations such as clarification and/or questions related to the procurement process.

The Selection Committee will report their findings to the Quorum Court, who may accept or deny their recommendation by Resolution. The County Judge will be required to sign the final contract.

This process has been discussed with other County/City officials and seems to be the most fair and impartial way to choose our next ambulance provider.

I would like to thank Baptist Hospital and the ambulance staff for providing our county with excellent care for the past 35 years.