Ambulance companies make their pitch in Mamou

Making their pitch to convince the Mamou Town Council to implement an ambulance regulating policy were representatives from Acadian Ambulance and MedExpress at the meeting held Wednesday, November 11.
Toeing the rubber first was Paul Fusilier with Acadian Ambulance. He explained the council, as a governmental body, has “every right to govern your town as you see fit.”
Fusilier said the same holds true at the parish level with the police jury. He went on to site a 1996 judgment from former district judge Preston Aucoin that went on appeal to the state Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court upheld Evangeline Parish’s authority to regulate EMS and ambulance services when those things come down to the safety and welfare of the residents.”
Fusilier told the council he believes the Supreme Court’s decision also allows municipalities, like Mamou, to regulate ambulance companies.
“EMS is not something that should be taken lightly,” he expressed, “We’re dealing with people’s lives. Regulating or having some rules to engage by is important. I think it would do your residents a good service in putting things in place to make sure a company is going to do the job that your residents not only need but deserve.”
Hoping to be included in any policy set by the council is MedExpress.
“We’ve been in Ville Platte for a few months now, and we’ve had a lot of residents and healthcare people in the town reach out to us asking if we would be interested in coming to Mamou,” said Tyler Martin.
Martin explained MedExpress would like to see Mamou adopt a resolution similar to the one adopted by the Ville Platte City Council that puts both companies on a one-on-one 911 rotation.
He said, “Evangeline 911 is familiar with the process. They currently do it in Ville Platte. It would not cause any problems.”
Adding to Martin’s pitch was counsel for MedExpress Alyssa Tassin. She explained the demographic ratios of ambulances to people and said, “Evangeline is far behind other areas, and we think we will be a great benefit by bringing an additional provider to the Town of Mamou that could help your residents.”
Martin and Tassin went on to field questions from the council members. However, Mayor Ricky Fontenot announced the council had no plans of making any decision at that time.
“We will look over everything, and Mamou will do the right thing,” he said.
The mayor added he hopes the council will come to a decision by the December meeting.
In other business, the council introduced proposed ordinances to amend the 2020 budget and adopt the 2021 budget.