BEDFORD – Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer said the new ambulance service is off to a good start.
The newly formed Lawrence County Fire Territory which is made up of Shawswick and Guthrie townships is providing fire protection and an ambulance service in Lawrence County.
On January 1, the county’s newest ambulance service responded to six emergency calls according to officials. This included four calls within the fire territory and two calls in other townships and one within the Bedford city limits.
Shawswick VFD Chief Bob Brown said the station on Sunny Acres Drive is now manned around the clock with four full-time firefighters, and an emergency medical responder or EMT.
“There have been times when we have had to wait more than 45 minutes for ambulances from nearby counties to respond to residents in our coverage area,” added Chief Brown. “We did this because we want the best service for the residents in both Shawswick and Guthrie townships.”
IU Health is also stepping up to provide needed ambulance coverage in Lawrence County.
IU Health will station three 911 ambulances and one squad or chase vehicle in Lawrence County beginning April 1, 2023. These units will be stationed at Dunn Plaza. The county will provide and pay for the building and dorms for those manning the medical units.
These three ambulance services will not leave Lawrence County for emergency response calls. They will only leave Lawrence County to transport a critical patient from an accident or incident scene to the closest appropriate care facility.
IU will staff an ambulance for the hospital’s inter-facility transports.
Lawrence County Central Dispatch will be responsible for dispatching ambulances. The county will also provide portable radios and mobile data terminals for the ambulances and squad.
The county agrees to pay IU Health a stipend of $300,000 to cover ambulance service from April 1, 2023, through December 21, 2023. The annual stipend will increase in 2024, 2025, and 2026 to $400,000. All payments will be made bi-annually on July 30th and December 31.
The county will pay for this contract with American Rescue Plan Funds. Lawrence County received $4.4 million in ARP Funds.
On January 1, 2023, because of staffing issues, IU provided two 911 ambulances and one squad. I
IU is in the process of hiring 16 EMTs and four or five paramedics to fill their contractual obligation and those of the hospital. Due to those staffing issues, IU will cut the cost of ambulance coverage by $100,000.
“IU has reported more than 100 people have applied for the school and they are now doing interviews,” said Luchauer.
To help combat staffing issues, IU Health will be offering an EMT class beginning January 19, 2023. IU will pay those who attend the classes. Students who complete the class will be offered a position with the IU LifeLine ambulance service.
