A service provider has been selected to provide equipment and services for the Emergency Service District (ESD) 1.
According to a press release, ESD 1 on Oct. 25 selected the San Marcos Hays County EMS to provide ambulance services over Acadian Ambulance services out of Austin.
In an emailed interview, ESD 1 Board of Commissioners President Walter Krudop said the reasoning behind the board’s decision had nothing to do with the location of the service providers.
“Location of the home base of the provider was not a factor in the decision,” Krudop said.
According to Krudop, three service providers, SMHC EMS, Acadian Ambulance service and North Hays County Fire Rescue in Dripping Springs, applied to become ESD 1’s service provider.
Each bid for the service contract included two ambulances, which had to be operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
ESD 1’s service area covers Dripping Springs, Driftwood and Henley. However, the NHCFR was out of the ESD 1 board’s price range, according to Krudop.
The difference between the SMHC EMS bid and the Acadian bid came down to specifics such as equipment and location in the service contract.
“With these uncertainties and both bids being affordable, the ESD board focused on the performance and operation of the two agencies to differentiate the bids,” Krudop said in an emailed response.
According to Krudop, the ESD board reviewed each company’s advantages and SMHC EMS won out for advantages in clinical capabilities, citizen opinion, transition complexity and workload and flexibility in the future over Acadian’s probability of success and financial stability.
The specifics of the service contract with SMHC EMS have not been negotiated. According to the release, Krudop said the contract was to be reviewed by the board of directors this week.
“The board will now initiate negotiations with SMHC EMS to develop the best level of service within the financial resources of the District. It is expected that the proposed contract will be ready for the regular board meeting on November 16 for board consideration,” Krudop said in the press release.
