Bad Links?
Other glitches?
Notify Webmaster

Council: No consolidation for EMS

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Members of Peachtree City’s Fire and Rescue Department, along with its volunteer group, are being reassured there is no intention from the City Council to consolidate those operations with their counterparts in Fayette County.

In a letter approved by the council Thursday night, the council notes that it “has no interest” in consolidating the Peachtree City and Fayette County departments.

The proposal was brought by county officials in a response to city officials’ complaints that city residents are paying taxes for county EMS services which they don’t receive.

The city wants the county to establish a special EMS tax district to eliminate the alleged double-taxing, but that proposal was rebuffed by the county.

“We fully recognize and appreciate the exceptional service provided by the Peachtree City Fire and Rescue Department and the Peachtree City Volunteer Firefighters Association, both in fire and EMS services,” the letter states. “While we acknowledge that the county has an excellent EMS department, we also know that it cannot compare to the outstanding response times, quality of care and financial value that our residents currently receive through your efforts.”

City Manager Bernie McMullen said that city fire and EMS staffers had become increasingly concerned about being “inadvertently put in the firing line” over the issue.

Members of the fire department “should feel fully secure” in their positions and direct any questions or concerns to Fire Chief Stony Lohr or Assistant Fire Chief Ed Eiswerth, the letter stated.