Bids will be sought for Hillsboro ambulance
Staff reporter
Marion County Emergency Medical Services Director Steven Smith was given permission Monday to solicit bids for a new ambulance at Hillsboro.
However, Marion County Commission reminded Smith that even though the new ambulance was in the 2008 budget, there has to be sufficient cash available in the budget for the purchase.
There is $95,000 budgeted, Smith said, which would replace a 1999 model with more than 100,000 miles.
In other department business:
— Smith said he was working on a department policy that would prohibit ambulance drivers from using cell phones while driving.
— There were 87 ambulance calls in January. Of those there were 22 medical emergencies, 19 transfers, 15 cardiac, 11 no transport, four standby, three motor vehicle accident, and two each turnaround and code black (death). Marion had 32 calls, Hillsboro 31, Peabody and Florence eight each, Tampa six, and Marion backup two. Lincolnville first responders had three runs and Goessel had two.
Florence rescue crew had one run.
— Future events include a landing zone class Feb. 20 for Marion, Durham, and Tampa fire departments, presentation of Yellow Dot and Vial of Life programs, and CPR and first aid training for Marion County Dispatch personnel.
