Excerpts from jg-tc.com: The Mattoon Fire Department officially ended its ambulance service at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2017, as planned. With this change, two private ambulance companies now handle all local emergency medical transport in the city. The decision to discontinue the fire department’s ambulance service was made by the Mattoon City Council on July 18, 2017, as part of a broader effort to reduce costs. While firefighters expressed disappointment over losing their role in providing ambulance services, they were relieved to learn that the fire department will continue to operate its advanced life support equipment. This means that even though they won’t be transporting patients, they will still be able to offer critical care at the scene until an ambulance arrives. Firefighters will remain on standby for emergency calls when no ambulance is immediately available. In such cases, they can provide advanced life support care on-site until a private ambulance crew arrives to take the patient to the hospital. This transition aims to ensure continuous emergency care for residents while reducing city expenses. 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 move allows firefighters to maintain their medical capabilities without the need for dedicated ambulance units. The two private ambulance services currently operating in Mattoon are Mitchell-Jerdan Ambulance Service and Dunn’s Ambulance. Mitchell-Jerdan has been serving the community since 1934 and is based in Mattoon, while Dunn’s Ambulance, based in Taylorville, has provided services in the area since 2008. The city’s own ambulance service, which began full-time operations in 2011, has now been phased out. For now, the city plans to store the three former fire department ambulances. However, the city and the firefighters’ union are still involved in ongoing grievance procedures related to the decision. A new contract is also being negotiated through an arbitration process. City officials claimed that the fire department’s ambulance service was not financially viable and duplicated the work of private providers. On the other hand, the firefighters’ union argued that the service brought in essential revenue for the city and ensured reliable emergency transportation for residents. Thanks, Dennis Turning Machine,Wood Turning Lathe,Cnc Turning Machine,Vertical Turning Lathe Wuxi Wushi Machinery Factory , https://www.cnrollmill.com