- February 7, 2025
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According to Port Orange City Councilman Scott Stiltner, there have been several local incidents that he called "very concerning" when it came to ambulance response times and availability.
The issue was brought up during the Tuesday, Nov. 7, city council meeting and has been a topic of discussion in past council meetings.
Much of the evening's discussion revolved around a plus ambulance program, which South Daytona and New Smyrna Beach are currently participating in. Daytona had previously been involved in the program but later dropped out.
Stiltner said that both South Daytona and New Smyrna Beach have been able to respond with ambulances to incidents in Port Orange when EVAC wasn't available to transport individuals.
"There's some issues there," Stiltner said. "We need to look at those again."
Stiltner added that ambulance coverage in the area is limited and that he has spoken about this with Port Orange Fire Chief Ken Fustin and Volusia County Council Vice Chair Deborah Denys.
Stiltner also asked the council to look at what the general plus program looks like for the county noting that the response of the closest unit should be discussed as well.
Mayor Don Burnette said he would like to see county officials involved in the city's ambulance service.
"I dont think we've done a good enough job of holding county officials accountable so that they can turn around and do that with the system," Burnette said. "I'm not sure that since the county took over EVAC that that system has grown, but I know our population has."
Vice Mayor Bob Ford said what has made him hesitant about the program would be the financial investment in addition to how much control the city has of the ambulance. Ford said under the plus program the city would have some control, "but not enough."
Stiltner said bringing in additional transportation could happen through county taxes or direct city tax dollars. He also mentioned the possibility of bringing in an in-house ambulance letting the city start that service.
"I want something that’s going to solve the problem and not just throw money at it," Councilman Chase Tramont said.
Burnett asked that in the meantime Stilner discuss the issue with Volusia County Councilwoman Billie Wheeler, District 2, which includes both Daytona and Port Orange. According to Burnette, he would also bring up the issue during a roundtable of elected officials at the county level.
