EMERGENCY SERVICES MEETING MINUTES
3 NOVEMBER 2025
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Meeting on 3 November opened with Chair Commissioner Caleb Savage asking Commissioner Roger Reedy to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The Chair after noting the 5 May 2025 minutes had been provided previously asked for a motion and Commissioner Carman Brown moved the minutes be approved, and with Commissioner David Wamble providing a second, the motion was approved by acclimation. Handouts were available regarding CINTAS and Zoll (both of which provide products to EMS) as was a resolution to establish EMS special event coverage policy and fee schedule including providing a threat assessment by EMS personnel. The Chair asked if there were any announcements from County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe and from Commissioner David Wamble, Chair of the Legislative Body. There being none the Chair asked EMS Chief Willow Chavez to provide additional information on the resolution. She said the resolution was to clarify who would be charged and who would not for the EMS support at events, noting typically 500 people attending are a trigger point for her organization to do a threat assessment. EMA Chief Josh Young gave an example of what a threat might be and their support in countering, e.g., driving a car through the crowd and using barriers, communications, active “walking around” to counter. Chief Chavez said that the state would also be notified about the event and its location. Chief Young mentioned the Sundrop festival, with approximately 10K people attending, and noted the support from TEMA. Commissioner Rickie Carpenter asked about school ballgame support with Chief Chavez saying we send our staff, but do not charge since that is part of the county’s school system. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Commissioner Rickie Carpenter, seconded by Commissioner Joseph Sutton. At this time a member of the public Ms. Kathleen Bailey spoke regarding the resolution with concerns about public vs private events, listing several private events such as weddings, political rallies, all held on private property. She questioned among several areas the use of EMS personnel and paying overtime pay for such support, coming onto private property to do a threat assessment, how they would be trained, penalty if don’t do a threat assessment, if trigger is 500 people is that at one time or over the course of the event, and considered this resolution as written overreach. Chief Young explained regarding one of the private events that they paid for the support. Sheriff Joe Purvis in discussing coming onto private property for a private event that would have to be requested by the owner, unless a crime had been committed. Commissioner Wamble noted the resolution listed $50 an hour per working EMS personnel and that was not a “loaded” personnel cost (did not include payroll taxes) and he amended the motion to change that charge to $70 an hour per person for private events. Commissioner Gayle Jones provided the second. A member of the public Sheryl Asbury questioned if overtime pay would be covered by the $70 and Chief Chavez said it is not overtime pay it is special event pay. The Chair noted in Section 2 the $100 should also be changed to $140. The amended motion was approved. In returning to the original motion Commissioner Gayle Jones said the resolution should be more specific (to differentiate between public and private events). Commissioner Wamble asked about the 500 people attendance trigger point mentioned above, and Chief Josh Young said the state is 5K to 6K. The CE in capturing the various discussion read the following as a proposed change: “Section 2. Fee Schedule: When standby coverage is requested but not required, the fees shall be: Ambulance with crew at $200 per day plus $140 per hour with a two-hour minimum, and ATV with crew at $50 per day plus $100 per hour with a two-hour minimum, with additional hours billed at the same hourly rate.” Chair Savage said the county is not going to tell you can’t have an event, the 500 is more about county resource availability. Another motion was made by Commissioner David Wamble to approve the amended resolution as the CE had just read (noted above), and with Commissioner Gayle Jones providing the second, the motion was approved after the following change made by Chief Young to include “in conjunction with local law enforcement”. A vote was then taken to approve the earlier motion approving the resolution overall and was approved unanimously.
Next Agenda Item – Mental Health Support Service. Chief Chavez discussed the need for a certified mental health expert, perhaps a psych nurse, to accompany EMS on calls that involve potential suicide or homicide parties. She said her organization does not have the resources to determine the validity of those individuals in terms of what they might do. Chair Savage asked if this would be done through telehealth or someone who lives close by. Chief Chavez said this would be someone on call or perhaps a group of individuals available. In discussing cost, Commissioner Wamble asked if Chief Chavez had researched Medicare to determine if this would be a billable cost. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked for clarification on how this is being done now, with Sheriff Purvis saying he has some deputies trained but determining if borderline or actually suicidally is difficult. Further he said, you can’t take someone in against their will unless they have committed another crime, e.g., like damages. Commissioner Gayle Jones then asked how the new person would enhance this situation, with Chief Chavez saying she would be more educated and trained to recognize the potential hazard of someone in a psychotic episode. Chair Savage asked that decreased cost occurring with this expertise available also be considered. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby asked that a cost comparison on doing now vs after implementing such a resolution. Chief Chavez said she sees this as getting the patient what they need, e.g., where the person can’t get their medicine. Commissioner Annelle Guthrie asked about someone that is bi-polar can’t you just take them in. Sheriff Purvis said unless they do a crime or say key words, you can’t. Chief Chavez said they take the person to the local ER, get a referral to go to a facility, and sometimes there are days waiting. This person will help expedite. A motion by David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Carman Brown to approve Chief Chavez exploring further and bring back to the commission. The motion was approved unanimously.
Next item – An approved agreement that spreads over a budget year even though funds are available within budget. A handout provided on CINTAS and Zoll. Motion to approve by Commissioner James Lathrop, seconded by Commissioner Carman Brown, was made and was approved unanimously.
In unfinished business Chief Chavez provided information on a potential grant of $23K to purchase equipment and she was expecting to know if approved in the same day. Also, in unfinished business Mr. Jeff Driscoll who has developed the county’s mitigation plan for areas such as storms, terrorism discussed the plan which is required to get federal aid. The plan had been sent to TEMA but due to government shutdown the stated approval time has slipped. He discussed how important such a plan is for schools and businesses; to develop policy changes; and to do both pre and post actions. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about the most important threat to consider in Giles and water and tornadoes were mentioned.
New business – Commissioner Roger Reedy mentioned website training by CTAS on how to run effective meetings and recommended the training for all. Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner David Wamble seconded by Commissioner Grayle Jones, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee – Chair Commissioner Caleb Savage Other Commissioners James Lathrop, David Wamble, Rickie Carpenter, Roger Reedy, Matt Rubelsky, Joseph Sutton, Carman Brown Other Commissioners in attendance – Joyce Woodard, Tracy Wilburn, David Adams, Terry Jones, Matthew Hopkins, Shelly Goolsby, Annelle Guthrie, Gayle Jones, Erin Curry, Brad Butler Others in attendance County Executive Graham Stowe, Chief Willow Chavez, Chief Josh Young, Jeff Driscoll, Sheriff Joe Purvis, Deputy Michael Woodard, members of the public