County will eye EMS system
By Steve Herring
Published in News on May 14, 2012 1:46 PM
Wayne County commissioners will follow up on discussions from an earlier planning retreat about plans for the county's emergency services system and a new senior center at their meeting Tuesday.
The meeting will start with an agenda briefing at 8 a.m., followed by the formal meeting at 9 a.m. in the commissioners' meeting room on the fourth floor of the county courthouse annex.
During the retreat, members of the Office of Emergency Services and County Manager Lee Smith talked with commissioners about the possible use of quick response vehicles versus opening another full-time EMS station. Emergency Medical Services and Safety Director Blair Tyndall will make the presentation.
Smith said the county is experiencing issues with response times.
"The county is at a point of having to face expansion of services such as this due to growth and high demand by the public through 911 calls," he said. "We are asking for the board's input so that we may adjust the proposed budget for June 1."
The upfront cost is substantially less with quick response vehicles, which also provide greater flexibility of movement of equipment and personnel, Smith said.
The medic on the quick response vehicle would assess patients in advance of an EMS truck to determine the necessary next steps or actions.
"There may be cases where transport may not be necessary, but the medic will assess that and all other requirements for life support," he said.
In other business, Eryn McAuliffe, director of Services on Aging, will update commissioners on the new senior center facility and show the floor plan.
The center will be located in the former Sportsman's World building the county bought last spring.
The board also will be asked to schedule a public hearing for June 19 on amending the county zoning ordinance to allow day care centers in community shopping and village zones. The hearing would be held in the commissioners' meeting room.
The county has received a request from Danny Bryant, who wants to open a day care center at 1511 Old Mount Olive Highway in Dudley. The property is currently zoned for community shopping. Day care centers are not allowed in such zones. The county Planning Board has recommended the zoning be amended.
While the request is from one person, amending the ordinance would allow day cares in all community shopping and village zones.
Two subdivision plats will be considered by the board:
* Henry J. and Martha W. Worrell final; owner/developer Henry J. Worrell, three lots on the north side of N.C. 55 West, approximately 4,200 feet west of N.C. 403 in Indian Springs Township
* Jose Jesus Castaneda et al, final; owner/developer Jose Jesus Castaneda et al; four lots on the west side of Arrington Bridge Road approximately 900 feet north of Indian Springs Road in Indian Springs Township.
In another planning-related issue, the board will consider approval of a 32-lot mobile home park on the south side of N.C. 55 East approximately 200 feet west of Billy Price Road. Francisco J. Compean-Hernandez is the owner/developer.
The county Planning Board has recommended approval of all three items.