Mattoon Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from jg-tc.com:

The Mattoon Fire Department officially ended its ambulance service at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of a local emergency medical transport option that had been in place since 2011. With this change, two private ambulance companies—Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service and Dunn’s Ambulance—are now responsible for all emergency medical transportation in the area.

The decision to discontinue the fire department’s ambulance service was made by the Mattoon City Council on July 18, 2017, as part of broader cost-cutting efforts. The official end date was set for July 25, and city officials said the move would help reduce financial strain on the department.

While some firefighters expressed disappointment over the loss of their ambulance duties, they acknowledged that the city has agreed to keep the advanced life support equipment operational. This means that firefighters will still be able to provide critical care at the scene of an emergency until an ambulance crew arrives.

Firefighters were seen transferring the advanced life support gear from the three former ambulances to fire trucks earlier this week. This transition ensures that emergency responders can continue offering vital medical assistance during the initial stages of an incident.

Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service, which has been serving Mattoon since 1934, and Dunn’s Ambulance, which has been active in the area since 2008, are now the primary providers. Both companies have a long-standing presence in the community and have handled emergency transport for years prior to the fire department’s involvement.

For now, the city plans to store the three former fire department ambulances. However, the issue is not yet fully resolved, as both the city and the firefighters’ union are still working through grievance procedures and preparing for potential arbitration related to the new labor contract.

Citizens and local leaders have mixed opinions on the change. While city officials argue that the fire department’s ambulance service was financially unsustainable and duplicated private services, the firefighters’ union maintains that the program generated essential revenue and provided critical coverage for the community.

Thanks, Dennis

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