The Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority voted to give one of their units, a chase vehicle referred to as Unit 383, to Moorefield Volunteer Fire Company.
The vehicle is a 2015 Ford Explorer with just under 50,000 miles. The board voted to give the vehicle to Company 46 as a free and clear asset, providing the vehicle at no cost and also transferring responsibility for maintenance, upkeep, and ownership.
Moorefield Volunteer Fire Company Chief Doug Mongold came to the last board meeting on Wednesday, July 20, at the 911 Center and asked for the vehicle, noting the company’s involvement in the local and state community. [private]
“To me, all the emergency services work together. We try to help everybody we can. I would ask that you allow us to take possession of this vehicle and I hope we keep working together. It takes everyone to make these wheels turn,” Mongold said during his request.
Ambulance Authority executive director Derek Alt later said he thinks the transfer is a good thing. “It stays in the county and it’s getting used by the rescue services,” he explained. The votes to pass along ownership to Company 46 were unanimously in favor of the transfer.
The rising cost of fuel was also a topic of discussion. According to Alt, the cost of fuel is on track to almost double by the end of the fiscal year.
For the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year, Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority spent $18,200 on fuel. For the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year, which ended June 30, $32,500 was spent on fuel. Now starting the new fiscal year, HCEAA has spent $4,300 on fuel so far. If the cost continues to average $4,300 a month, the overall cost by the end of the year would be over $50,000.
Board members also elected officers. All current officers are keeping their positions. President will be Paul Lewis, vice president will be Tim Thorne, the secretary will be Jean Flanagan, and the treasurer will be Doug Coffman.
Calls for the month of June included 119 call responses from West Hardy EMS, 97 from HCEAA, and 38 from Wardensville Rescue.
The next Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the HCEAA building at 17940 State Road 55 in Baker. HCEAA meetings are open to the public. [/private]
