Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

NCAS under new ownership; improvements planned

Though the Nevada County Ambulance Service has changed owners, residents need not worry about the quality of care or service they will receive.

Nick Hibbs purchased the NCAS earlier this year from Chad Cornelius. He's been running the business since the second week of January, with the deal being finalized on February 18, when Hibbs became the owner.

At the time of the purchase, he was no stranger to the NCAS or Prescott, having worked with Cornelius in the past.

Hibbs completed Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic school in 1998, earning his certificate in 1999, when he began working with the Lafayette County Ambulance Service. He was there two-and-a-half years before a job opened at Pafford in Hope, where he and his wife, Rebecca, lived.

Hibbs took the job with Pafford to be closer to home, was there for a year and came to work with Cornelius and the NCAS. Before he accepted the job, though, he and Cornelius talked about the nursing courses he was taking at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. Cornelius agreed to schedule his shifts around his classes.

However, Pafford later made the same deal, and Hibbs took it to again be closer to home. But, he said, Pafford failed to live up to its agreement and Hibbs dropped out of school. "I don't know if I'll go back," he said. "I talked to Chad about buying the NCAS, and told him I wanted first shot."

First shot was what Hibbs got and he bought the service. "We'll be offering the same services as before," he said. "There will be no changes. The same number of trucks will be operating, and we'll hire locally when we can."

Hibbs said the NCAS has a pool of full- and part-time employees working. There are, in fact, eight full-time employees, and about 15 part-time. All are either EMT or paramedic certified. And, he added, any time an ambulance leaves the building, there is an EMT and paramedic on board.

In talking about the equipment, Hibbs said there are two full-time trucks and a third ambulance available in case of emergencies, or if one of the other vehicles is being repaired.

Additionally, the NCAS has a three lead EKG machine, which gives three views of the heart when hooked to a patient. Hibbs said he would like to get a 12-lead EKG machine to get a more comprehensive picture of the heart when checking a patient who may be having a coronary. The 12-lead machine would also give the emergency personnel and doctors more information for a diagnosis at the scene.

"Chad built a good service when he was here," Hibbs said. "We're trying to take what he did and keep improving. There are new medications out that work better, but they're more expensive and temperature sensitive." When talking about the medications used by the NCAS, Hibbs said, they are all kept under lock and key, and no schedule IV narcotics are kept at the service.

While the idea is getting a person in need to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible, Hibbs said there are those who don't want to be taken to certain hospitals. In this case, the patient is required to sign a release absolving the NCAS, and taken where they want to go. However, the person is told of their condition and risks involved.

Classes in CPR and for first responders will be given by Hibbs and the NCAS, possibly as soon as early May, he said, as there have been requests for them. "We'll try to keep the costs low, but the classes will be first come, first serve."

Hibbs is originally from San Diego, Calif., but moved to Hope when he was nine. He graduated from Blevins High School and met his wife while working at Wal-Mart in Hope. The two currently live in Hope.

"We're making improvements on the building," she said. "We've done some painting, added some furniture and are trying to make it more comfortable for the employees.

"We're happy to be here, serving the community and getting to know people. It's been nice. It's what I like about small towns."

Rebecca Hibbs is currently going to EMT school.

Hibbs pointed out the NCAS membership drive is currently underway for families and individuals. Members of the NCAS receive services at a much lower cost than non-members.

Additionally, those wanting to get their blood pressure checked can do so at the NCAS at no charge. Hibbs said the best time for this, though, is early in the morning.