Starke County government officials will decide on the purchase of a new ambulance and a possible transfer unit in the next few weeks.
Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary told the commissioners Monday night that he received all of the quotes he’s been looking for to purchase an ambulance. Four quotes were received: Medwerks/Crossroads Ambulance at just under $122,000, Osage Ambulance at nearly $127,000, Demers Ambulance at $131,600 and Hoosier Fire Equipment/Lifeline Ambulance at $158,500.
Commissioner Kathy Norem noted that a couple of Starke County Council members have specific thoughts about a new ambulance so it was suggested that Clary and EMS Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie appear before the county council members on Aug. 20 to present the information for their approval. The commissioners agreed that the money to pay for the ambulance will come out of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund. Any additional equipment that may need to be purchased such as a cot, radios, a monitor, and decals will come out of the same fund.
In a parallel conversation, Clary noted that the Porter Regional ambulance that was stationed at Starke Hospital is no longer there and Starke County EMS has seen an uptick in transfers which will help gain revenue for the department. Clary suggested securing a transfer unit to gather more funds for the department. The transfer unit could take hospital transfers outside of the EMS jurisdiction which is limited to a 50-mile radius.
Clary stressed that there is one ambulance designated for local transfers only within the 50-mile radius so there could be two rigs available and that would generate funds. Ambulances will be available as they always are for 9-1-1 emergencies as that is the department’s priority.
Clary and Starke County Commissioner Charlie Chesak will set up a meeting with Starke Hospital officials to discuss the proposal and a possible memorandum of understanding before any decision is made.
