The Texas Department of State Health Services has yet to decide whether or not to revoke Mark McMain’s EMS certification. In a phone interview with Emily Palmer, a representative for the office of Doug McBride, the Press Officer, she said that as of Monday, August 18, no decision had been made.

Although his certification has not yet been revoked, McMain tendered his resignation to the Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corps effective July 31, 2008.

Mechelle Salmon, a certified EMT-P with the Bulverde-Spring Branch EMS has stepped in as Acting EMS Director and public contact and is assisting the BVAC in fulfilling requests from the state.

Upon legal advise to do so, bylaws for the nonprofit group are being reworked in order to comply with state regulations.

The areas that require immediate attention are: taking care of the legal matters regarding a nonprofit organization’s bylaws; compliance with state regulations with the assistance of Brett Hart, EMS Compliance Officer-Central; turning over requested public records; improving and outlining procedures and a personnel manual; and instilling good business practices.

Mechelle Salmon, who has been with the Bulverde-Spring Branch EMS since 1999, has stepped in, without compensation, in order to help the BVAC through this difficult reorganization. “I believe it will take the entire community... to pull this thing together. It is doable... but will take a village”, Salmon said when asked if the BVAC would be able to survive this troubling time.

According to Salmon, many citizens of Blanco have come forward to assist in any way they can and to help smooth the way for these transitions. “It will take time and a lot of community support to give BVAC its best shot.”

The BVAC will be holding Town Hall meetings in the coming months because Salmon says, “we want to be straightforward (with the citizens) and restore community trust.” They will announce the first meeting in the next week or so.

McMain is no longer involved with the Corps but has been accepted as a volunteer in the Blanco Volunteer Fire Department.

The BVFD is also in the stages of reworking its bylaws and currently has a Corporate Board that monitors all accounts receivables and payables. According to members, they hope to make the operation run more smoothly and efficiently.