Florence ambulance may merge with county
Florence Emergency Medical Services may merge with Marion County EMS department.
Darryl Thiesen, director of the county's EMS department, reported Monday to Marion County Commission that he had been approached by Florence EMS Director Judy Creamer about the possible merge.
Thiesen and Creamer went to Topeka to discuss the merger with state officials.
Commissioner Randy Dallke also has been active in the negotiations with the Florence-based department.
Dallke was to present information to Florence City Council Monday evening regarding the merger.
Currently the Florence agency has $80,000 to be used for a new ambulance. Additional funds will be required to purchase a new ambulance, Thiesen said, which will be raised through collection for runs.
The city of Florence has concerns about providing a new ambulance, rescue truck, and equipment and then having the ambulance moved from Florence. Dallke suggested a contract be drawn between the city of Florence and the county regarding the conditions of the merger which could include the ambulance remaining in Florence.
Thiesen said the Florence rescue truck was an older truck with good equipment. He was concerned about funding personnel for the truck.
Dallke also said he was concerned about the additional cost to the county to pay on-call personnel for Florence.
"To bring them on board will cost the county," said Dallke, "but there will be some additional revenue."
Dallke said maybe the Florence crew would be willing to be paid a partial fee. Holub said he wanted everyone treated equally and was against paying them only a portion of the amount other EMS personnel were receiving.
The commission will discuss the possible merger at Monday's meeting.
