GARFIELD — The upgrade of VAS to an advanced life support service took one step forward at the board of directors meeting for VAS Ambulance Service Corporation Inc. at its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Jim Geddie, president of the corporation, asked the board to approve the steps he outlined for the upgrade.

Geddie proposed upgrading the current license to a basic life support level 1A in June when license is to be renewed. Training four paramedics in 2010 and 2011 is the next step. Geddie said the current operations manager, Richard Wynne, went to Avoca to ask for two scholarships to pay for paramedic training.

“Richard assures me it’s a shoein for Avoca to give us the money,” Geddie told fellow board members, adding that once “Richard’s got Avoca in his pocket,” the board can use that to go to other municipalities in the area seeking money for training.

“Let’s see how much Garfield, Gateway and Lost Bridge can give,” said Cris Henry, board member.

Geddie said the paramedic service should begin Aug. 1, 2011.

“We’ve got to get volunteerism out of our mind. We’ve got no volunteers, no first responders,” Geddie said. There are six paid staff members - each either an emergency medical technician or a paramedic.

Also discussed, but tabled, was the proposal to eliminate the position of president and vice president of the corporation. Geddie said Wynne, hired last month, should be the operations manager and the person to answer to the board. The by-laws would have to be amended to eliminate those positions.

Geddie said he is turning over the day-to-day operations to Wynne.

A report to the board from Wynne stated that there had been a total of 55 runs in October, 16 of which were transferred to advanced life support ambulances.

News, Pages 1 on 11/18/2009