Excerpts from jg-tc.com: The Mattoon Fire Department’s ambulance service officially ended at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, marking the end of an era for local emergency medical transport. With the city's decision to cut costs, the two private ambulance services in town—Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service and Dunn’s Ambulance—are now responsible for all emergency calls. This move followed a vote by the Mattoon City Council on July 18, 2017, which decided to discontinue the fire department’s ambulance operations. Firefighters expressed disappointment over the loss of their ambulance service, but they acknowledged that the city has kept the advanced life support equipment operational. This means that firefighters can still provide critical care at the scene until an ambulance arrives. While the fire department will no longer transport patients, it will still respond to emergencies when an ambulance is not immediately available. Firefighters will continue to offer advanced life support care on-site, ensuring that patients receive timely assistance before being transferred to the hospital. Bart Owen, president of Mattoon Firefighters Local 691, confirmed that the department has moved the advanced life support equipment from its three former ambulances into three fire trucks. This transition aims to maintain the level of emergency care while shifting responsibility to private providers. Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service, a long-standing provider based in Mattoon since 1934, and Dunn’s Ambulance, which has served the area since 2008 from Taylorville, are now the sole ambulance services in the community. The fire department’s ambulance program began in 2011 as a full-time operation. For now, the city will keep the three former fire department ambulances in storage. However, the city and the firefighters’ union are still working through grievance procedures related to the elimination of the ambulance service, as well as negotiating a new contract through arbitration. City officials argue that the fire department’s ambulance service was financially unsustainable and duplicated the work of private companies. In contrast, the firefighters’ union claims that the service generated essential revenue for the city and provided vital coverage during times of high demand. Thanks Dennis Turning Machine,Wood Turning Lathe,Cnc Turning Machine,Vertical Turning Lathe Wuxi Wushi Machinery Factory , https://www.cnrollmill.com