Commissioners approved the franchise application for non-emergency transports for Atlas Transportation Inc. but declined the application of K&L Transport Service.

A second vote must be taken and the company must revise one of the insurance clauses required by the county.

During the public hearing several people spoke of the professionalism Atlas has displayed in its work in Northampton County.

Concern was raised, however, after Mark Collier, commander of the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad, spoke during the hearing.

In an August letter sent to County Manager Tony Brown, Collier wrote, “The Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad wishes the county to reconsider granting any new non-emergency franchises at this time. Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad along with Eastern Medical has been providing this service non-stop for the better part of 13 years.

“This service provides vital revenue for the survival of this department. The funds generated by this service is funneled back into the rescue service and the 23 employees that work for Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad.”

Collier noted in the letter when other organizations are allowed to operate in the county it severely affects the organization in many ways. “When Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad's call volume decreases, this in turn causes a drop in staffing and revenue.”

In Northampton County where more than five franchises were approved, Collier said that muddied up the water, “so much that it's not profitable for any of us to operate there.”

Collier said since the other agencies have been allowed to operate, Roanoke Valley's call volume in Northampton County went from 2,276 in 2007 to 192 last year. “To date Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad has been forced to reduce staffing from 20 to 10 staff members in the transport service. When EMS agencies are affected by this, ultimately the county government will have to interject money back into these agencies to keep them able to provide the needed services.”

The letter continued, “Currently we have two EMS agencies that provide a fully adequate service to Halifax County and as it stands the EMS Advisory Committee has already stated that in their opinion that another service in this county would not be justified or required.

“This opinion was also supported by the Halifax County EMS director, stating that the two services now are adequately providing service to the county and are meeting all obligations set forth by the non-emergency franchise.”

The Atlas contract was approved by a 5-1 vote, with Rachel Hux voting against the measure. Commissioners had started discussion of the moratorium before going back to vote on the K&L contract, which wasvturned down by a 4-2 vote, with Hux and Rives Manning voting against it. Manning said later today he voted against turning down the K&L contract because there wasn't full deliberation on the matter and no representatives from the company spoke at the meeting.

Manning brought up discussion of the moratorium. “I'm concerned about the viability of the coverage if we grant too many.”

Board Chair James Pierce said, “We know Roanoke Valley gives us a very valuable service. We need to make sure we provide the best service we can for our citizens. I think that good, healthy competition does that.”

Pierce said his recommendation would be a moratorium in which the county would use that time to study the impact of having a third provider.

Further deliberation will come at the board's next meeting.

Terry Campbell, owner of Atlas, said during a break in the meeting, “We're up and ready to move when they have the second vote. We believe there is enough (business) out there for everybody to have to work.”