Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 21, 1995                   TAG: 9501240046
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Medium

DUBLIN VOTES TO PAY SHARE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES STUDY

``We did a preliminary study and found out some things that were kind of disturbing,'' David Smith, emergency medical services manager at Radford Community Hospital, told council.

Among the findings were that some people were putting in more than 40 hours a week as rescue squad volunteers but the number of volunteers is getting smaller. Ambulance response times sometimes stretch to 27 minutes, not because of the driving time involved so much as because of difficulty in mustering a crew for it.

``Twenty-seven minutes is a pretty good time to wait in an emergency,'' he said.

A survey of volunteers showed that many of them would like more training in responding to medical and other emergencies, but it is difficult for them to find enough time to do it.

``On a long-term basis, we don't know if rescue squads can perform the services they've performed in the past,'' Smith said. ``Currently, the number of volunteers is going down but the public expectation is going up.''

The study would take 60 to 90 days, project needs and resources for five and 10 years ahead, and provide recommendations for the county on handling emergency services.

It would cost about $30,000. The towns of Pulaski and Dublin were being asked to help fund it at the rate of $1 per resident in each town, with the county paying $1 per resident outside of the towns.

Councilman David Stanley said most insurance policies carry riders covering payment for ambulance service but, because of wording in the charters of most rescue squads, they do not qualify. He suggested that the study consider finding a way around that situation.

Colbern Linkous, a former councilman attending as a member of the public, said many calls for rescue squad assistance are not really emergencies. He suggested charging a minimal amount per call to discourage those simply using ambulance vehicles in place of other transportation the person could get. Again, a charter change would be necessary to impose charges.

Councilman Benny Skeens said rescue squads have been a vital asset to the county, and are not told often enough how they are appreciated.

In other business, council added its voice to those municipalities opposing Gov. Allen's proposal to eliminate the business, professional and occupational license tax and an estimated 15 percent in law enforcement aid to localities.

Council passed a resolution noting that the tax amounted to more than $53,000 of Dublin's general fund during the last fiscal year, which was 8.6 percent of that fund, and that a 15 percent reduction in law enforcement aid would cause the town to lose another $4,000 a year.

Another law enforcement issue is likely to come up at the quarterly meeting of the two town councils and county Board of Supervisors at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at the county Administration Building. One of the discussion items is the feasibility of a countywide police department.

Several years ago, Dublin Town Council considered the possibility of merging the Dublin Police Department with the county but ended up not doing so.