Edgar County EMS reports higher call volume, two new ambulances to enter service in May

Jesse delivered the Edgar County Ambulance Service’s March month‑end report, saying crews responded to 278 calls in March — about nine a day — with 234 resulting in patient transports or on‑scene refusals. He told the county board the service completed 50 interfacility transfers last month (10 emergency and 40 non‑emergency) and supported five structure‑fire standbys with the Paris fire department or the community fire protection district.

Jesse said the service ran seven training classes in March, reaching 91 students, including community American Heart Association CPR classes and a high‑school EMT course that remains in progress. He reported seven intercept requests that month, all within the neighboring ambulance territory.

On operations, Jesse said the Illinois Department of Public Health and the regional EMS system completed annual inspections with no issues. He reported acquisition of two ambulances as of the previous Wednesday; county staff are completing logistics and plan to have both units inspected and in service by May 1.

Board members asked whether the new vehicles would replace older units. Jesse said one existing unit will be retired from rotation and repurposed for education, and the other will be removed from rotation but not immediately disposed of. He said the service will have four transport units available for rotation, plus a fifth emergency reserve and an education/training unit.

The board confirmed contract requirements that ensure a minimum number of in‑county transport units to support transfer obligations. No formal action was taken during the presentation.

The board thanked Jesse for the report and moved on to public comment.