The Jemison City Council adopted an ordinance establishing an emergency transport system for the city, designating the Jemison Fire Department as the fire and emergency medical provider for all 911 calls.

Jemison Fire Chief John Dennis said the ordinance would allow JFD to be the primary responder to 911 calls allowing JFD to transport patients from Jemison.

“This basically allows us to transport our own patients and will generate income to the city,” Dennis said. “Jemison will be the first city to have this ability and will be the primary responder of a medical or rescue call within the city.”

Patients transported under the new ordinance could be transported to Brookwood Medical Center, Medical Center-Princeton, Trinity Medical Center, UAB West Medical Center, Children’s Hospital-Birmingham, UAB Medical Center-Birmingham, UAB Highlands Medical Center, St. Vincent’s East, St. Vincent’s Hospital Birmingham, Shelby Baptist Medical Center, VA Medical Center in Birmingham, Prattville Baptist, Baptist South in Montgomery or Jackson Hospital in Montgomery.

Transport fees collected by the city of Jemison’s fire department for transportation provided to patients will be $600 base total plus an amount equal to $8 per mile traveled in transporting a patient to a hospital.

Mayor Eddie Reed thanked Dennis for working to acquire a beneficial asset for Jemison.

“This is a great thing for our city and we appreciate all the work you have done,” Reed said.

Councilman Rex Bittle said the ordinance was a wonderful way to grow the city and he appreciated the vision Dennis had for the city.

The council voted to amend council minutes from a meeting held on Sept. 21, 2009 due to an incorrect recording of the meeting that did not reflect a zoning approval.

Reed said a motion was approved in 2009 by the current council (Councilman George Brasher was absent at the meeting) to allow a sign to be placed along Interstate 65.

After trying to locate the approval of the zoning ordinance it was found the former city clerk had not recorded the motion.

“We voted on the motion; it just wasn’t recorded and now the State of Alabama is needing the minutes that show the zoning plan,” Reed said. “We need proof the motion was approved and adopted so we need to add it into the minutes from 2009.”

Council members unanimously approved to amend the minutes from 2009 to reflect the motion was approved.

In Monday’s meeting, the council also:

•Approved a motion approving an agreement with Rocky Ridge Fire District as a medical transport billing agency.

•Approved a motion establishing a business agreement with Rocky Ridge Fire District Billing agencies allowing them the use of protecting health information.

•Approved a resolution for the Alabama Department of Revenue for sales tax collection.

•Approved water adjustments for anyone in the city who might have experienced a water leak.

•Approved an ordinance saying the city of Jemison directs the Department of Revenue of the State of Alabama to administer and collect all sales, use, rental and lodgings taxes that are levied and assessed under the provisions of the resolution to the fullest extent allowed by Alabama law.