Ambulance Service Debate Goes Unresolved in Maryland City

POCOMOKE CITY -- Those in need of emergency medical services may find themselves waiting within Pocomoke City.

The mayor and council were prepared to adopt a resolution Monday night that would allow the acceptance of the responsibilities of the town's ambulance service. However, following a statement from the Pocomoke City Volunteer Ambulance Company, the council voted to table the resolution.

The city should be able to handle first responder calls, but subsequent calls for service may be delayed by as much as 15 to 20 minutes as ambulances travel from neighboring Princess Anne or Snow Hill.

Laura Kamps, president of the ambulance company, reported that the members of the company had held a special meeting Sunday and voted unanimously to rescind the resolution requesting the city takeover, months after members met and decided to ask the city to take over the ambulance services.

Kamps said many members felt there was still a need for the volunteer corps which would have been changed into part-time paid paramedics.

Kamps said another meeting of the ambulance company had been planned for Tuesday night to discuss the outcome of the council meeting. She said the members want to go back and find a better way to manage the company.

Kamps said they were open for suggestions and asked the council to name a member to work with them on possible changes.

Mayor Michael McDermott said the City Council is charged with the responsibility of providing services. Morrison added that Mark Carey had resigned as captain of the ambulance service.

Carey said there were three problems with the company -- finances, getting a second crew for runs when the first ambulance is out and management of personnel.

Carey said that help was needed from Princess Anne and Snow Hill to cover runs the last two Friday nights.

"I don't think 16- to 18-year-olds could handle the problems," he said.

Although he had resigned he said that he would stay on as a member and take calls as often as he could. Kamps said that the company was supposed to receive $331,000 from the county for the fiscal year but only received $82,000 while Snow Hill and Berlin received their full amounts.

McDermott answered her by saying that after the request for the city to take over the finances the county was asked to give the money for the first quarter.

Following the vote to table the resolution, the Rev. George Tasker wondered if a mediator was needed to make suggestions on how to proceed. McDermott's answer was to defer to the ambulance company.