Lee County ambulance franchise goes to FirstHealth of the Carolinas

Nancy McCleary, The Sanford Herald, N.C.
·4 min read

Aug. 18—The Lee County commissioners voted 5-2 Monday night to award the ambulance franchise contract to FirstHealth of the Carolinas.

Commissioners Bill Carver and Kirk Smith voted against the measure in a vote that was taken after 25 people spoke during a public hearing that lasted 90 minutes.

Voting in favor of FirstHealth were commissioners Mark Lovick, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Arianna Lavallee and Andre Knecht.

The commissioners opted to go with the EMS Advisory Committee's recommendation of FirstHealth rather than Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford.

Committee members were Shane Seagroves, Lee County Emergency Management director; Sanford Fire Department Assistant Chief Ken Cotten; and EMS directors from Harnett and Moore counties.

Central Carolina has provided the service for 24 years because they've been unopposed. The current contract expires in September.

The majority of those speaking in favor of keeping the franchise with CCH were paramedics, EMTs and hospital employees.

Spencer Thomas, outgoing CEO of Central Carolina, spoke against the recommendation calling it "economically unsustainable."

Financial data from the hospital was presented to the Advisory Committee along with a "suggested annual review of finances," Thomas said.

"I think it's important to note Central Carolina provides the only 24/7 emergency room in the county," he said. "We treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay."

Thomas said he believed that awarding the franchise to another medical provider would not be in Central Carolina's best interests.

"FirstHealth is an aggressive competitor. While it's competitive and will ultimately provide additional choices and services for citizens of Lee County, it comes at the expense of your local hospital," Thomas said.

However, former state Rep. Leslie Cox, a Sanford resident who has received treatment at both hospitals, took an opposite view.

Cox recalled when it was decided to build a hospital, he heard comments similar to those heard at the meeting.

"All the concerns I heard tonight were some of the same I heard then and that was 40 years ago," Cox said. "None of that took place."

His experience at Central Carolina was good when he went to the emergency room for a collapsed lung.

"They took as good care of me as I would get at the Mayo Clinic," Cox said.

He later had surgery at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in 2019. When he awoke, he learned he had suffered a heart attack while in the surgical recovery room and received immediate treatment.

"The care I got down there makes me a big fan of FirstHealth," Cox said.

County Manager John Crumpton said he was "disappointed some people decided to go in the gutter and say some things that were not true."

He also stood up for the Advisory Committee, which has come under fire from some Central Carolina supporters.

"The criticism they've gotten in the past few weeks was undeserved."

Commissioner Robert Reives commented before making the motion to award the franchise to FirstHealth.

"First, I'd like to say I've been very concerned that the charge the commissioners have been given has been entangled with what the public thinks we're to do.

"My understanding is to review the recommendation of the committee and make a choice," Reives said.

Carver fired back, saying the commissioners' responsibility "is not to simply accept a recommendation from the advisory board.

"They voted 3-2, which is not a wholesale endorsement. The vote tonight comes from us, not the advisory board. I think we have to take personal responsibility for making the decision. I will vote against (the motion) because I feel Central Carolina is the right entity."

He spoke of the 24 years Central Carolina has held the franchise and the desire of its staff and paramedics to improve their performance.

"The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence," Carver said. "Until (FirstHealth) the new guys get their feet on the ground, we don't know how they'll perform."

Reives responded saying that when his doctor makes a recommendation for treatment, he doesn't go home and ask a neighbor for his thoughts.

"I have to rely on the people I consider to be experts in the field or at least those who have more knowledge of the subject matter," he said.

The cost for the franchise is scheduled to be negotiated, according to County Attorney Whitney Parrish.