Ambulance calls for 2009 surpass 1,100

Marion County Emergency Medical Services responded to 1,102 ambulance calls in 2009, Director Steve Smith said Monday in a meeting with Marion County Commission.

The agency was on-pace for much of the year to surpass 2008’s record-setting 1,151 calls, but ambulance calls dipped beginning in October.

Smith presented figures for December calls. There were 21 medical emergencies, 15 transfers, 12 no-transports, 10 falls, nine cardiac emergencies, five canceled calls, four standbys, two motor vehicle accidents, and two other calls.

The Hillsboro EMS crew responded to 31 calls; Marion, 24; Peabody, 11; Florence, eight; Tampa, six; and the backup unit, zero. Goessel first responders received 10 calls, and Lincolnville first responders received one. Neither the Burns nor the Durham unit was called out.

Ambulance crews responded to 55 pediatric calls, involving children through age 14. Of those calls, 27 were no-transports; 12 medical emergencies, eight motor vehicle accidents, three falls, three transfers, and two canceled calls.

Commissioners approved $2,736 of quarterly write-offs for uncollectible bills.

Smith met with commissioners in closed session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel.