Excerpts from jg-tc.com:
The Mattoon Fire Department officially ended its ambulance service at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2017, as planned. With this change, two private ambulance companies—Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service and Dunn’s Ambulance—are now responsible for all emergency medical transport in the city. The decision to discontinue the fire department's ambulance service was made by the Mattoon City Council on July 18, 2017, as part of a broader effort to reduce costs.
While many firefighters expressed disappointment over the loss of their ambulance duties, they acknowledged that the city has decided 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 will still be able to provide critical care on scene if needed.
Firefighters will continue to respond to emergency calls when an ambulance is not immediately available. They will be able to offer advanced life support until a private ambulance arrives to take the patient to the hospital. This ensures that residents still receive timely and effective medical assistance during emergencies.
Bart Owen, president of Mattoon Firefighters Local 691, explained that the department moved all advanced life support equipment from its three ambulances to three fire trucks earlier this week. This move was done to ensure that the necessary tools remain accessible in case of an emergency.
Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service, which has been serving Mattoon since 1934, and Dunn’s Ambulance, which has operated in the area since 2008, are both now handling all ambulance requests. The fire department’s own ambulance service had been running full-time since 2011, and its closure has sparked some debate between city officials and the firefighters’ union.
For now, the city plans to keep the three former fire department ambulances in storage. However, the city and the firefighters’ union are still working through a grievance process related to the elimination of the ambulance service, as well as preparing for contract negotiations through arbitration.
City officials have argued that the fire department’s ambulance service was financially unsustainable and duplicated the work of private providers. In contrast, the firefighters’ union has maintained that the service generated revenue for the city and provided essential coverage, especially in times of high demand or when private services were unavailable.
Thanks, Dennis
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