GLASGOW — Construction of a new emergency services facility is one step closer to getting under way, according to Barren County Judge-Executive Davie Greer.
Barren Fiscal Court adopted an agreement Tuesday with the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services to borrow $500,000 through the Kentucky Association of Counties Leasing Trust. The money will help fund the construction of the facility, which will be built at the Glasgow Airport.
The building will feature a bay for an ambulance operated by the Barren-Metcalfe Ambulance Service and will also feature hangar space for STATCARE’s medical helicopter and living quarters for on-duty staff employed by both agencies.
The cost to construct the facility is $840,000, a portion of which will be paid for by grants.
“We received a $500,000 grant from the state last year and we’re going to use that and another $500,000 that we have to borrow,” said Greer. “The county is going to borrow that money and the ambulance board will pay for the building, but it’s going to go through the county.”
Greer stressed that the project will not cost the county anything, aside from what fiscal court contributes to the Barren-Metcalfe Ambulance Service.
The ambulance service is overseen by the ambulance service’s board of directors. That board has agreed to pay off the loan, she said.
The ambulance service’s directors approved a contract Tuesday with Poynter Construction of Glasgow to do the work.
“They will start soon, I hope,” Greer said.
“I think it will be a nice addition to the Barren-Metcalfe Ambulance Service,” said Howard Garrett, chairman of the ambulance service board of directors. “It will give a presence on that end of Barren County and will also benefit the runs on the northern end of Metcalf e County.”
Mike Swift, director of the Barren-Metcalfe Ambulance Service, said the project has been “years in the making.”
“I guess the biggest thing is that it provides us with a faster access to the western portion of the county,” he said.
It currently takes ambulances 15 minutes to respond to emergencies in the Cave City and Park City areas.
By locating two ambulances at the airport, Swift said that response time will be cut by 10 minutes, “which is a significant reduction,” he said.
Ambulances are also needed for response to the western side of Glasgow due to the development there.
Personnel with STATCARE were also glad to hear the news.
“We are thrilled about it,” said Capt. Steven Gilreath, a helicopter pilot with STATCARE. “It’s a long-anticipated event. It will finally bring together EMS and the air-evacuation into one facility.”
Gilreath said the new facility will also provide space to service the helicopter when needed, something the agency hasn’t had in the past.
Local News
EMS facility step closer to fruition
Building will house ambulance service, STATCARE
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fatal wreck on Burkesville Road
A Summer Shade man was identified as the driver in a fatal crash on Burkesville Road early Saturday morning.
-
Jail staff challenges Ober’s report
A long list of allegations made by a private investigator against the Barren County Detention Center is being challenged by a majority of the jail employees, who say they have not witnessed anything illicit.
-
BBBS honors volunteers Bell, Click
There’s no doubt about it. Tamara Click and Price Bell love spending time with their “little sister and little brother.”
-
Magistrates defend decision
Almost a month after a private investigator presented his summary report about the Barren County Detention Center and nearly five months since the initial vote for an investigation, the members of the Barren County Fiscal Court are standing by their decisions.
-
Park, students form partnership
Barren County Middle School and officials from Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP) began a partnership in 2009 through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, according to a district news release.
-
Cemetery dedication planned Sunday
On Sunday, a dedication ceremony culminating efforts of several concerned citizens who restored the cemetery will take place at 2 p.m. at the D.F. West Cemetery on Ky. 70 near Hiseville.
-
No swimming allowed at lake for Memorial Day
Don’t visit Barren River Lake this Memorial Day weekend and expect to go swimming.
- 2:10 AFTERNOON UPDATE: Hart Co. man arrested for trafficking
- 9:03 a.m. Morning Update: Glasgow firefighters and Barren-Metcalfe EMS respond to wreck with injuries
-
Late Night Update: Investigation continues regarding injured teen
Very little is known about the circumstances surrounding a 15-year-old Barren County boy who was found seriously injured and lying in a ditch alongside his bicycle on Dripping Springs Road late Monday night.
- More Local News Headlines
-
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fatal wreck on Burkesville Road
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
