Clay, Lake, Seward Townships Get New Ambulance Service
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SILVER LAKE -ÊResidents of Clay, Lake and Seward townships will have a new primary ambulance service in the new year.
The areas, which currently are served by South Central EMS, recently signed contracts with Multi-Township EMS to begin services Jan. 1.
"We needed (the ambulance service) to be seven days, not just on call," said Clay Township Trustee/Assessor Ben McKrill.
"We wanted a 24-hour guarantee," said Lake Township Trustee/Assessor Molly Bradford.
"Our board was concerned (about the services) and wanted to look out for what's best for our town and our community," said Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer Angie Glass.
McKrill started the process of researching options for ambulance services in May, and by July had decided to go with Multi-Township EMS for services in Clay Township.
"I got some complaints about not getting response from (South Central EMS)," said McKrill. "I had the firemen complain two or three times, so I started to investigate and see what we could do to get better service.
"In July we decided to switch. I talked with the MTEMS and they told us their prices for 2006. (Once we made the decision), I sent South Central a registered letter telling them that we would no longer use their service after Jan. 1."
Seward and Lake Township as well as the town of Silver Lake made their decisions about switching to MTEMS in October.
"We met with LifeMed and Multi-Township EMS ... and decided to keep our service in the county," said Aime Hoffman, Seward Township trustee assessor.
"Multi-Township EMS will have a paramedic and an EMT-advanced partner in Silver Lake at all times," said MTEMS Director Carla Gebert. "We will have one ambulance based in Silver Lake."
MTEMS will be housed at the Silver Lake Fire Department beginning Jan. 1, but will move to another location at a later date.
Once MTEMS takes over services in Silver Lake, Clay, Lake and Seward Townships, "only one ambulance instead of two will respond to covered areas," said Gebert. Currently, MTEMS is called along with South Central EMS if a paramedic is needed.
Residents also will see a positive change in their bills when they use Multi-Township EMS -Êthey will be lower. MTEMS's base rates are 35 to 40 percent lower than what residents currently are charged.
The crews that will service Silver Lake and the surrounding townships plan to become involved in the community by being available for educational activities, community events and fire stand-bys. Meetings will be scheduled for township residents to meet the medics and MTEMS officials at a later date.
MTEMS began in December 1977 as a basic life support ambulance service, and became a paramedic provider in February 1987.
Questions about the new services may be directed to Gebert at 574-269-1975. [[In-content Ad]]
SILVER LAKE -ÊResidents of Clay, Lake and Seward townships will have a new primary ambulance service in the new year.
The areas, which currently are served by South Central EMS, recently signed contracts with Multi-Township EMS to begin services Jan. 1.
"We needed (the ambulance service) to be seven days, not just on call," said Clay Township Trustee/Assessor Ben McKrill.
"We wanted a 24-hour guarantee," said Lake Township Trustee/Assessor Molly Bradford.
"Our board was concerned (about the services) and wanted to look out for what's best for our town and our community," said Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer Angie Glass.
McKrill started the process of researching options for ambulance services in May, and by July had decided to go with Multi-Township EMS for services in Clay Township.
"I got some complaints about not getting response from (South Central EMS)," said McKrill. "I had the firemen complain two or three times, so I started to investigate and see what we could do to get better service.
"In July we decided to switch. I talked with the MTEMS and they told us their prices for 2006. (Once we made the decision), I sent South Central a registered letter telling them that we would no longer use their service after Jan. 1."
Seward and Lake Township as well as the town of Silver Lake made their decisions about switching to MTEMS in October.
"We met with LifeMed and Multi-Township EMS ... and decided to keep our service in the county," said Aime Hoffman, Seward Township trustee assessor.
"Multi-Township EMS will have a paramedic and an EMT-advanced partner in Silver Lake at all times," said MTEMS Director Carla Gebert. "We will have one ambulance based in Silver Lake."
MTEMS will be housed at the Silver Lake Fire Department beginning Jan. 1, but will move to another location at a later date.
Once MTEMS takes over services in Silver Lake, Clay, Lake and Seward Townships, "only one ambulance instead of two will respond to covered areas," said Gebert. Currently, MTEMS is called along with South Central EMS if a paramedic is needed.
Residents also will see a positive change in their bills when they use Multi-Township EMS -Êthey will be lower. MTEMS's base rates are 35 to 40 percent lower than what residents currently are charged.
The crews that will service Silver Lake and the surrounding townships plan to become involved in the community by being available for educational activities, community events and fire stand-bys. Meetings will be scheduled for township residents to meet the medics and MTEMS officials at a later date.
MTEMS began in December 1977 as a basic life support ambulance service, and became a paramedic provider in February 1987.
Questions about the new services may be directed to Gebert at 574-269-1975. [[In-content Ad]]