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The division of responsibilities connected to ambulance service has been a topic of late in the city of Port Arthur.

City Ambulance was named sole emergency and non-emergency provider for the city in March after Acadian Ambulance pulled out.

But that leaves another, similar type service with needs — paratransit.

Ivan Mitchell, Port Arthur transit manager, said an individual wishing to use the services must qualify for the services. There are certain criteria that must be met in order to participate and there is also a boundary attached to the issue.

“This is to serve people with disabilities to get them from home to maybe the grocery store,” Mitchell said.

Another example would be a person who uses a wheelchair getting a ride to and from dialysis.

Mitchel said a large portion of clients are dialysis patients.

Andre Ruby, City Ambulance vice president of operations said there have been multiple questions on who can provide wheelchair services.

He believes it is in the best interest of the city to have a resolution for wheelchair bound patients who do not need emergency medical care.

ABLE N.E.M.T. of Port Arthur wants to perform some of the wheelchair transports but is not currently covered under the city ordinance.

Details on if and when the issue will go before councilmembers has not been announced.

The city of Port Arthur’s legal department is looking into a possible ordinance that would allow the transit department to handle wheelchair transports.

City Ambulance is contracted with the city to handle emergency and non-emergency services.

A city ordinance currently in place does not address wheelchair transport, an official said.

City Manager Ron Burton said the city’s legal department is looking to see if an ordinance can be adopted that would allow the wheelchair transports to operate the city without having to also transport emergency and nonemergency services.