The Evansville Fire Department’s new ambulance service will expand into Vanderburgh County next year. WNIN’s John Gibson has the update:
Commission President Justin Elpers announced the choice for county ambulance service during Tuesday's meeting:
"I'd like to make a motion that Vanderburgh County Commissioners move forward (on a) recommendation with the Evansville Fire Department for EMS service."
All three commissioners voted for the EFD, just hours before the department would take over city EMS from long-time provider AMR.
Elpers told commissioners why he chose the EFD over AMR and the Vanderburgh County Fire Department:
"My conclusion was based on the staffing, the equipment and the infrastructure — and the cost."
Commissioner Amy Canterbury says the decision was not made easily:
"A lot of advisement and then due diligence. We've had the outreach of our trustees and our township fire departments."
Commissioner Mike Goebel joined Canterbury in thanking AMR:
"You've been here for a long time and you've served this community, you're part of our history, but it's obviously soon going to be time to move on."
The winning EMS proposal from the city fire department was the only one of the three that did not call for a county subsidy.
The Vanderburgh County Fire Department will continue to provide ambulance service to Scott, Armstrong, and German townships, as well as the town of Darmstadt.
The plan call for three city ambulances to serve other parts of the county.
They would be housed at Station 5 near St. Joe Avenue and Maryland St., Station 17 on Mill Road near First Avenue, and Station 9 near Morgan Avenue and Green River Road.
