Long County Commission Vice Chair Kent Hall said Wednesday that despite rumors and speculation, no decision has been made on who would provide emergency medical services to the county.  
He also said that Long County is accepting proposals from any EMS provider that is interested in providing the service.  
“There has been a lot of talk, but nothing has been decided yet,” Hall said.
Hall said that Liberty Regional Emergency Medical Services is providing the service, but that contract expires at midnight April 1. He said that the reason commissioners are looking at other EMS options is because of the substantial cost increase.
“When we first took office, the cost was approximately $10,000 a month. In June of last year, that cost pretty much doubled and went to around $20,000 a month,” he said.
Hall said that the previous contract expired Dec. 31, 2013, and LRMS offered a new proposal, but the rate increased to around $33,000 per month. No long-term agreement could be made, but the two organizations did agree on a three-month extension at the previous rate of $22,000 monthly through the end of March.  
Hall said that LRMC CEO Scott Kroell has been helpful in working with the commissioners and he appreciates the hospital’s efforts.
“This has been a tough situation all the way around,” Hall said. “Liberty Regional has been very cooperative, and we’re learning things as we go. I know people are concerned about this, but we are working on it, and we’re going to make sure that the needs of Long County are met.”