Emergency medical services were the focus of the recent Long County Commission meeting.

Long/Liberty Emergency Medical Services Director Robin Todd reported on the EMS service provided to the county for the month of November. There were 105 calls responded to in the county, and the average response time for all calls was a little more than 13 minutes and a little more than 12 minutes for emergency calls. The majority of calls were within 10 miles of the fire station. The busiest day of the week for calls was Thursday, while Saturday was the slowest day.

Todd also told the commissioners that she had submitted all of the paperwork for a $72,000 grant through the Georgia Trauma Commission and felt it would be approved. She said once the funds were received, they would go toward purchasing a new ambulance.

Air-Evac Lifeteam Program Director Donald Mixon was introduced to the commission. Air-Evac, an emergency air-response unit in Jesup, transports trauma patients by helicopter. Todd told the commissioners that Air-Evac is the primary air carrier for Long County.

According to Mixon, from the time their helicopter is dispatched for an emergency in Long County, it takes about 15 minutes to be in the area where they need to land. The cost for one transport is between $20,000 and $25,000. In most cases insurance carriers pay approximately 80 percent of the fee, and the customer is responsible for the balance, he said. A person can become a member of the program for $50 annually; a family membership is $60 annually. Members are not responsible for their portion of the deductible.

However, Mixon said membership is not required for a person to be transported during an emergency. He said that if anyone has any questions about the program, they can call 912-403-0848.

In other business:

• Long County Code-Enforcement Officer Steve Atkins reported that 10 building permits and five relocation permits were purchased during November in the county, while one relocation permit was purchased in the city. He also said that there were 65 open permits in the county and eight in the city.

• Commissioner Clifton DeLoach said the recreation-department board has two vacancies. Those interested in serving on the board can call 545-2143.

• Commission Chairman Bobby Walker reported that there were 72 signs that needed to be replaced or repaired in the county, and the county is looking into buying the equipment to make their own signs.