In Tennessee, there are rural counties with a very small ambulance service with no first responders. In the event that all ambulances are unavailable, patients are left waiting a long time for a unit to become available.
if they don't like the level of service, than maybe they shouldn't live in a rural area with a small ambulance service. You can't except city responses in the sticks, especially with a much smaller tax base. And why not first responders? no FD or PD to stop the clock before EMS arrives? odd, especially when they have extended ETAs
In one county, the ambulance service is struggling and the county refuses to do anything about it
sounds like the county is aware of the issue, and has decided on how they are going to handle it (by doing nothing). Not that I agree with it, but it's not like it's not a known issue.
What if I (and a couple of buddies) were to start a non-transporting first responder service that is nonprofit with revenue based on donations?
Maybe have 2 or 3 dodge chargers equipped with BLS emergency equipment?
other than the obvious "this is a bad idea, you shouldn't do it" lets see, you have the cost of 2 chargers (maybe $20,000 each for last years model), add in another 4 thousand for emergency warning devices, radios along can be between 1,000 and 2500, plus the equipment (lets say $150 for the bag and equipment, and another 2 grand for defib and suction. so we are at $50,000 in equipment alone.
and then add in fuel, insurance, licensing, a lawyer, medical direction and oversite, ongoing training, all of which you aren't billing for..... maybe another 15,000 (those lawyers are expensive). do you have $65,000 just laying around?
oh, and if you (and your buddies, lets say 4 total) are going to provide 24/7 service, so each of you will be responsible for more than one twenty four hour shift in a week, so what will happen when it conflicts with your career? And how are you going to get donations? you think people will just give you money because you ask?
Follow Chimpie's advise:
STOP! JUST STOP!
Starting and successfully running a non-profit is not an easy task.
Please stick to software development.