Campbellsville City Council earlier this month agreed to give Rescue $40,000, enough to pay half of its bills. The council, however, did not consider funds for equipping the new ambulance which remains out of service.

"I've used Rescue twice and we want nothing but the best," said Magistrate Bobby Kirtley as he made a motion to approve the payment.

Magistrate Ed Gorin, who is the court's representative on Rescue's board of directors, seconded the motion.

"This seems to me to be a constant thing," said Magistrate James Cochran. "Citizens ain't this dumb, I know."

Cochran also said he had been told that a dishwasher billed to Rescue was actually at Chief Charlie Shaw's house.

Frank Metzmeier, a member of city council and Rescue's board of directors, asked Cochran if he had seen an actual invoice.

Cochran said he hadn't, but knew "a man" who was willing to talk about the matter.

Metzmeier and Helen Vaughn, chairman of the Rescue board, both said they would like to talk to that person.

Shaw was not at the meeting. He said Wednesday morning that he purchased the dishwasher about a year ago and has copies of the canceled check and receipt to prove he personally paid for it.

"I have dealt with elected officials all over the country," Shaw said. "I can't believe anyone would make such irresponsible comments."

Magistrate J.W. McFarland also questioned the amount of money Rescue spends for telephone, gasoline and other services.

Accountant Henry Lee, who presented an audit report he did of Rescue, said he could only report that the money was spent. Whether the expenditures were necessary or not, he said, is another matter.

Metzmeier said there are several phone lines at Rescue, Louisville hospitals are regularly contacted and that operating a service that handles medical treatment which can mean the difference between life and death is expensive.

"You make it sound like Rescue is a matter of life and death," Cochran said. "It's not. There is another ambulance service."

"It is a matter of life and death," Metzmeier said.

Metzmeier said nationwide the chances of surviving a heart attack are 13.7 percent. In Taylor County, he said, the chances of surviving are 47 percent because of Rescue.

Vaughn said the "other" ambulance service operates only during the day and does not provide the medical care and life saving treatment Rescue does. She said the other service -- Life First -- essentially provides only transportation.

"Where are we going if we can't help Rescue save lives?" Tracy Robideaux asked.

"It's a shame to let such a few people (fiscal court) make decisions for the whole county," said a woman who didn't identify herself. She said her husband is alive today, largely because of the care he received from Rescue.

Daryl Harmon asked magistrates who they would want to respond if a major tragedy occurred such as a school bus overturning in a remote part of the county.

"Who would you want to be there?" Harmon asked.

Harmon said Rescue is important for many reasons. Vacationers need to know there's a service they can depend on, he said, and so do industries. Industries considering locating in the community, he said, will look closely to see what type of emergency services are available.

"I am sure proud of Rescue," Harmon said. "In the last weeks, I have used them twice. We want someone trained good enough to get your kids and grandkids out."

Several at the court meeting applauded his comments.

Gorin said he has no doubt that Rescue does a "fine" job.

McFarland said there has got to be a better way to fund Rescue and wondered when someone would be back for more money.

Vaughn said magistrates have been invited to board meetings and to ask questions about costs and other issues. She also said she hopes a permanent solution can be found.

Metzmeier said private ambulance companies "cherry pick" by making the easiest and most profitable runs. Rescue, he said, has lost thousands of dollars because of competition.

"Why do we let them do it?" McFarland asked.

Taylor County Attorney Craig Cox said the county cannot prevent private ambulance companies from operating. However, he said, ordinances can be approved establishing standards of care.

Those standards could require 24-hour service, advanced life support, etc. which would put all services on the same level, Cox said. He said he has several sample ordinances and is ready to put one together for Taylor County.

The county has a financial interest in much of Rescue's equipment, Gorin said, and has supported the organization over the years.

"They could go bankrupt if we don't go forward," Gorin said.

Metzmeier pointed out that Rescue never asked to take over ambulance service. Several years ago after two private companies went out of business and the county was without ambulance service, Metzmeier said, the mayor and judge at the time went to Rescue. He said Rescue was asked to take over ambulance service and promised the funds necessary.

Those funds have never been sufficient, Metzmeier said. He said a quality ambulance service will never be able to support itself for many reasons. Among those are the fact that Medicare and Medicaid will only pay a portion of actual costs and most insurance companies, he said, will pay only 80 percent. He said there's one company in town that will pay only 50 percent.

A large percentage of bills are uncollectable, Metzemeier said, plus Rescue provides service regardless of a person's ability to pay. Private companies, he said, don't do that.

The court has an obligation to protect its citizens, said Taylor County Judge/Executive Eddie Rogers. A portion of occupational tax receipts, he said, could be allocated for Rescue to solve the organization's funding problems.