Milroy EMS looks toward the future and not back

Jan. 28--A number of the individuals affiliated with the Anderson Township Volunteer Fire Department attended Monday's county commissioner meeting in hopes of learning the fate of the volunteer EMS service the department provides.

As reported in the Jan. 14 edition of the Rushville Republican, the county leaders voted to terminate the EMS contract with ATVFD to provide medical service in 90 days, in the event improvements were not made by the department.

ATVFD fire chief Nick White said the volunteer department he heads is seeking means to improve the medical service they provide to the south central port of Rush County.

"We are working on solutions, perhaps even having a paid person on station (in Milroy). We are looking to recruit members and provide EMT training, but that takes time and there is no way we can accomplish this within 90 days. It will take us at least a year to make that happen," White said.

The county leaders once again said they are behind the department and do not want to see it fail. Commissioner Mark Bacon from the southern district was quick to back the volunteer department.

"I want the ambulance to stay down there as much as anyone else," Bacon said.

Fellow commissioner Bruce Levi said he too is in support of keeping the emergency medical transport service in the southern part of the county.

"We are behind you 100 percent, but we have to know if you are or are not going to respond on calls. If you are not going to (respond) or are unable to, we need to know," Levi said.

Since June 2013, the county has utilized a dual dispatch for medical calls in the southern part of the county with RMH Ambulance also responding to medical calls.

Following a lengthy discussion, the county leaders said as stated at the Jan. 13 meeting they would revisit the situation March 24, but in the meantime would continue to honor the financial aspect of the contract with ATVFD.

"You are a volunteer department and you need to be commended for that. It's good to see that you are seeking new EMTs," commissioner Ken Masters said.

Contact: Frank Denzler @ 765.932.2222 x106.

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