Leaders work to determine future of ambulance service in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s been almost a year of contract negotiations and two weeks since the agreement between Gold Cross and Augusta expired.

City leaders are working to finalize a contract with Gold Cross to determine the future of the company’s services in the area.

Augusta Commission member Brandon Garrett says if they disagree on Tuesday, they’re not sure what comes next.

“People should be concerned that we lose ambulance service because there’s no backup plan. Gold Cross is the sole provider here,” said the District 8 commissioner.

Steven Smith with Gold Cross says because of the rising costs of everything, it will be impossible for the company to continue service in Augusta without the financial support of the commission.

Garrett says it’s city leaders’ goal to have a good relationship with Gold Cross and use the contract as a means of accountability for Gold Cross and commissioners.

“Within that contract. I think there are some penalties that if they don’t meet certain response times over, you know, their reporting periods, then they can actually be fined for that,” he said.

Garrett says the commission wants people to feel comfortable and know an ambulance is coming when they need it.

Gold Cross says if they can not come to an agreement on Tuesday, the company will have to make some tough decisions.

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