Metro Council Plans a Second Study of Louisville EMS

An independent consulting firm this week released the results of its internal study of Louisville’s EMS system. But Louisville’s Metro Council is planning on commissioning another study of EMS in the coming months.The Mayor’s office commissioned the first study for 80-thousand dollars. Part of the results recommended reducing the number of ambulances on the street at certain times of the day. EMS Director Dr. Neal Richmond says they won’t take that advice."My job is to keep my fingers on the pulse of the system," says Richmond, "and make sure I understand exactly how it’s working and how well we’re doing and I’m confident about our interpretation of the data."Richmond says the study isn’t a fair comparison between Louisville and other cities. And although Richmond feels the data the department compiles itself is more reliable, Metro Councilman Hal Heiner says they still want another outside opinion."That’s one of the reasons the council this year allocated an additional 50-thousand dollars to do an in-depth study," says Heiner.The council has allocated the money, but the study has not yet been commissioned.