Crossville City Council Tuesday night will consider a resolution from Councilman Mark Fox that will ask the Tennessee General Assembly to amend state law to allow the city to proceed with a first responder program operated through the fire department.
To start a first responder program, state law would have to be amended granting the city of Crossville permission.
Fox said his proposal would not involve an increase in taxes or the purchase of new equipment.
In addition, Cumberland County Emergency Medical Services would still be the transporting agency if further medical care is required.
Patients would be responsible for payment through insurance for supplies used by the city’s first responders, and the county would bill transporting costs.
“I was challenged several months ago to find a path for Crossville to have autonomy, authority and direction” over emergency medical care, Fox said. “… this can be accomplished through an amendment allowing municipalities to have their own first responders outside and independent of the county.”
Fox described the proposal as “a permissive amendment” that would allow municipalities to participate in their own program or not.
“Not asking for private act at this point,” Fox added.
The request for passage of a resolution has no guarantee the issue of a full-time ambulance service provided by the city will not be raised once the responder program is in operation.
The resolution Fox is asking council to approve Tuesday night asks House Speaker Cameron Sexton and state Sen. Paul Bailey to support amending present law.
Councilman James Mayberry asked, “What difference does it make?”
Fox responded, “Authority, oversight and direction.”
The issue of a medical director to oversee the program and if that requires providing a vehicle, city benefits and salary, was not discussed.
Fox added there seems to be community support for the first responder program if it does not require increase in taxes.
Mayor R.J. Crawford reported receiving a letter from Sexton requesting Tuesday’s vote passes by a “super majority,” meaning approval by 4-1 or 5-0 vote.
“It is not required, but he wants that,” the mayor said.
Crawford also questioned the effect on relationship between the city and county.
“How is that going to resolve the issues that we are just now working to resolve?” Crawford asked.
In the end, it was agreed to place the issue on Tuesday night’s agenda.