Mattoon Fire Department news (more)

The Mattoon Fire Department officially ended its ambulance service at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, marking the end of an era for local emergency medical care. With the city’s decision to discontinue the service, two private ambulance companies—Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service and Dunn’s Ambulance—now handle all emergency transport requests in the area.

The city council approved the termination of the fire department’s ambulance service on July 18, 2017, as part of a broader effort to cut costs. The official end date was set for July 25, and since then, the fire department has no longer been involved in transporting patients.

Firefighters expressed disappointment over the change, but they acknowledged that the city will continue to maintain the advanced life support equipment used by the department. This means that firefighters can still provide critical care at the scene of emergencies until an ambulance arrives.

Bart Owen, president of the Mattoon Firefighters Local 691, confirmed that the department has moved the advanced life support equipment from its three ambulances into three fire trucks. This allows firefighters to still offer high-level medical assistance during emergencies.

Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service, which has been serving Mattoon since 1934, is based locally, while Dunn’s Ambulance, originally from Taylorville, has been operating in the area since 2008. The fire department’s ambulance service started full-time in 2011, providing an alternative to private providers.

For now, the city plans to store the former fire department ambulances. However, the city and the firefighters’ union are still working through a grievance process related to the decision, and negotiations for a new contract are ongoing through arbitration.

Citizens have mixed reactions to the change. While city officials argue that the fire department’s ambulance service was financially unsustainable and duplicated private services, the firefighters’ union claims it generated revenue and provided essential coverage for the community.

As the transition continues, many are watching closely to see how the shift impacts emergency response times and patient care in Mattoon. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that residents receive timely and effective medical assistance, whether through the fire department or private providers.

Thanks, Dennis

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