CLARKSBURG -- The turnaround for the Harrison County Emergency Squad continues as employees can now sign up for insurance coverage.
Full time employees of the emergency squad will be able to sign up for health insurance and prescription coverage through Acordia, according to Thomas Keeley, county commissioner and president of Harrison County EMS.
"It kicks in as soon as employees sign up," Keeley said. "Our whole purpose is to attract and retain professional employees in our system. We've made a lot of progress."
About a year ago, the emergency squad was on the verge of bankruptcy. After the county commission took on supervision of the emergency squad board of directors, the squad was able to pay off creditors and purchase three new ambulances, the last of which will arrive late this month. Also, the emergency squad has $230,000 in the bank, Keeley said.
Keeley added he believes employees more than deserve it.
"These people have stuck with us through tough times when we couldn't even make payroll," he said.
Rick Rock, executive director of Harrison County EMS, said the insurance coverage would be "a great step forward to attracting and retaining professional employees."
Staff writer Shawn Gainer can be reached at 626-1442 or by e-mail at sgainer@exponent-telegram.com.
