CADIZ — The Harrison County Board of Commissioners signed an agreement requesting that Hopedale and Bowerston fire departments provide backup emergency medical services for the residents of Harrison County.

The two backup emergency services agreements would require Hopedale and Bowerston fire departments to provide medical services in response to an injury, illness or a potential injury or illness in Harrison County when primary emergency medical services are unavailable or need assistance. The fire departments would also assist in transporting people to hospitals.

Commissioner Paul Coffland explained that these agreements are replacing the role of WVU Harrison Community Hospital, which opted to end its backup services contract.

The contracts would be for one year and would take effect on July 1.

The commissioners would pay the Hopedale Fire Department $80 per hour from the beginning of the emergency call until the ambulance is back at the station, and they would pay the Bowerston Fire Department a flat rate of $20,500 each month.

The Hopedale Fire Department would provide backup emergency medical services for the following townships in Harrison County: Archer Township, Athens Township, German Township, Moorefield Township, North Township, Nottingham Township, Shortcreek Township and Stock Township.

The Bowerston Fire Department would provide backup emergency medical services for the following townships in Harrison County: Franklin Township, Freeport Township, Monroe Township, North Township, Nottingham Township, Stock Township and Washington Township.

The Bowerston Fire Department would also provide backup emergency medical services for the following townships at an additional charge of $60 per hour: Archer Township, Athens Township, Cadiz Township, German Township, Green Township, Moorefield Township, Rumley Township and Shortcreek Township.

Coffland explained that some townships are split where one fire department would cover part of the township and the other department would cover the rest of the township. He said this is due to large waterways and lakes dividing the township.

Coffland also clarified that the Silver Spade Ambulance is separate from the Hopedale Fire Department, so the agreement would not affect the Silver Spade Ambulance.

In other news, Coffland also discussed reducing the number of people with mental illness in the Harrison County Jail by implementing the Stepping Up Initiative supported by the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments, the Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation.

Coffland noted that adults with mental illness tend to stay longer in jail and are more like commit the same offenses again.

“Without proper treatment and services, people with mental illnesses continue to cycle through the criminal justice system often resulting in tragic outcomes for these individuals and their families,” he said.

Coffland said Harrison County is implementing a jail diversion program to help people with mental illness get out of the criminal justice system and into treatment programs.

All commissioners voted in favor of the motion.

The commissioners also made a decision on what company would complete the resurfacing project they discussed at last week’s meeting.

The first part of the resurfacing project would resurface County Roads 8 and 503. The second part would cover resurfacing County Road 13. Part three would resurface County Road 43 and a portion of County Road 44.

The first bid that was received last week was from NLS Paving in St. Clairsville. Their bid for part one was $729,647.50. The bid for part two was $576,182.75, and part three was $497,165.

The second bid was from Shelly and Sands in Zanesville, Ohio. Their bid for part one of the project was $688,118.80. The bid for part two was $640,221, and their bid for part three was $475,855.50.

The third bid was from Cast and Baker Corporation in Cannonsburg. Their bid for part one was $854,666.50. Their bid for part two was $673,052.75. The bid for part three of the project was $585,715.50.

The board awarded the construction contract for parts one and three to Shelly and Sands, and NLS Paving will complete part two.