Robertsdale approves AirMedCare helicopter plan agreement

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ROBERTSDALE, Alabama -- The Robertsdale City Council voted Monday, July 19 to enter a plan agreement with AirMedCare to provide helicopter service at no cost should those on the plan or their families need service and the service is provided by a helicopter in the AirMedCare plan network.

The measure was tabled from the July 6 meeting after council members Russell Johnson and Paul Hollingsworth both asked for more information as to what the plan would cover and if there would be any overlap with what the city’s insurance covers regarding air and ground ambulance services.

Dianne Rambo with AirMedCare spoke to council members during the July 6 meeting.

The plan provides 125 census slots at a cost of $65 per slot or a total cost of $8,125 for a one-year contract with AirMedCare.

Under a census plan, the city provides a participation list and everyone on the participation list and their families receives benefits under the plan.

“What we’re basically offering is that anyone under the plan and anyone in their family who has to use helicopter service can do so at no cost to them as long as the service is provided through us,” Rambo said.

The AirMedCare network operates in 28 states and is operated locally through MedStar AirCare1, operating through MedTrans, with two helicopters serving Baldwin County, one at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley and one at Atmore Community Hospital, which serves North Baldwin.

MedStar operates throughout Baldwin County, with the exception of Orange Beach, which operates its own service through the city, Rambo said.

Anyone listed on the agreement through the city would also have the opportunity to sign up for ground service at a cost of $55.

At the end of the year, the city would be able to renew its contract, Rambo said.

At the July 19 meeting officials said the city’s insurance plan does not cover ambulance services. The plan will also cover members of the city’s Volunteer Fire Department, who are not covered under the city’s insurance.

The council voted unanimously to approve the measure with all council members present.

In other business July 19, the council voted to award the city’s pre-storm debris removal contract with DRC Emergency Services of Metarie, Louisiana.

Sealed bids were opened Thursday, July 15. DRC was recommended as the low-bidder and met all the requirements of the bid process, said City Engineer Greg Smith.

FEMA requires municipalities to have a pre-storm debris removal contract in place for removal and disposal services of disaster debris following a qualifying event from the right-of-ways and public property located in the city.

TFR Enterprises Inc. of Leander, Texas, which held the city’s previous contract and provided debris removal following Hurricane Sally, also submitted a bid, along with Crowder-Gulf of Theodore, Roads Inc. of Cantonment, Florida, and KDF Enterprises LLC of Mobile.

DRC presented a low-bid estimate of $1,675,727.50 for debris removal. No money will exchange hands unless there is a qualifying event in the city.

Also on July 19, the council:

  • Voted to allow Julie Waters with the Jace Waters Foundation to hold the annual Hub City 5K/19 on Feb. 12, 2022.
  • Voted to allow organizers to host the annual Tenley Tough 5K run Oct. 2.
  • Adopted an ordinance to rezone property on St. Paul Street from R-2 residential to MU multiuse business.
  • Adopted an ordinance to rezone property on U.S. 90 from R-1 residential to B-2 business.