Excerpts from jg-tc.com:
The Mattoon Fire Department’s ambulance service officially ended at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2017. Since then, the two private ambulance services in town—Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service and Dunn’s Ambulance—have taken over all local emergency medical transport duties. The decision to end the fire department’s ambulance operations was made by the Mattoon City Council back on July 18, 2017, as part of a broader effort to reduce city expenses.
While many firefighters expressed disappointment over losing their role in providing ambulance services, they acknowledged that the city has chosen to retain the advanced life support equipment used by the fire department. This means that even though they won’t be transporting patients anymore, they can still offer critical care at the scene until an ambulance arrives.
Firefighters will continue to respond to emergencies when no ambulance is immediately available. In such cases, they’ll provide advanced life support care on-site until a private ambulance crew can take over and transport the patient to the hospital. This arrangement aims to ensure that residents still receive timely and high-quality emergency medical assistance.
Bart Owen, president of Mattoon Firefighters Local 691, explained that the department recently moved the advanced life support equipment from its three ambulances to three fire trucks. This move was part of the transition process, ensuring that the necessary tools remain accessible for emergency responses.
Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service, which has been serving Mattoon since 1934, is based locally. Meanwhile, Dunn’s Ambulance, based in Taylorville, has been operating in Mattoon since 2008. The fire department had run its own ambulance service full-time since 2011, but the city claimed it was financially unsustainable and duplicated the work of existing private providers.
The city plans to store the three former fire department ambulances for now. However, there are ongoing discussions between the city and the firefighters’ union regarding the termination of the ambulance service. A grievance process is currently underway, along with arbitration to finalize a new contract between the two parties.
The firefighters’ union argued that the fire department’s ambulance service generated revenue for the city and provided essential coverage, especially during peak hours or in times of high demand. They believe the decision to cut the service may have long-term consequences for emergency response capabilities in the community.
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