HEPPNER – Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson says he believes the controversy over ambulance deployments in the county has been resolved.

“All agreements for the ambulance service here in Morrow County have been finalized and the contracts signed,” he said.

Nelson said it was a long process to find a solution and that he could not speak to the specifics of each step along the way. However, he could comment on the solution.

“Morrow County has created three different areas for emergency services,” he said. “Essentially, that’s the Boardman area, the north area including Irrigon, and the south area for all of southern Morrow County.”

The Boardman ASA was awarded to the Boardman Fire Rescue District. The North and South ASAs were awarded to the Morrow County Health District. He said Boardman Fire has been serving as the temporary EMS provider in the county for the past few months. He believes Morrow County Health will reclaim those designated EMS areas in the next few weeks.

Nelson thanked Morrow County Administrator Matt Jenson and Lake Oswego attorney Bob Blackmore, who was hired by the county to help resolve the related legal issues.

“That doesn’t mean the ASA issues have now gone away,” Nelson said. “The county has also established an oversight group that will help monitor ASA issues as they arise and is comprised of county and public members.”