Leaders to seek grant for alert system

“It’s similar to the school notification (system), which I think is great,” said Dove. “They even notify you if your kid isn’t there at school and you can get it on e-mail or text.”

In a separate matter, the board heard from EMS director Jason Lewis, who informed the board of a new state program to track all ambulances in Georgia, a move state officials say will help them coordinate emergency efforts in a large-scale disaster. Lewis said the system won’t cost Madison County anything, noting that county ambulances will be equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS).

The new system will give Madison County emergency officials the ability to track ambulance actions, such as how fast they’ve traveled, what sort of breaking distance they’ve had.

“It’s basically like a black box (in airplanes),” said Lewis, who added that the system won’t transmit any protected patient data to the state.

Lewis also noted that the county can save money by using the state-funded GPS system for Internet service, rather than the county-funded aircards currently in ambulances.

The BOC agreed to allow EMS to participate in the state program.