Study Lays Out EMS Options in Traverse City (MI)

Jordan Travis The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich. (MCT) Dec. 15—TRAVERSE CITY — As a new ambulance provider takes over throughout northwest Michigan, city leaders are mulling the future of emergency medical services in Traverse City. Most commissioners said at a study session Monday that they’re not interested in continuing with a status quo where Traverse City Fire Department responds to medical calls and Mobile Medical Response transports the patient to the hospital if needed. There are plenty of options to consider, and while the city enters into contract negotiations with Mobile Medical Response after the company merged with previous provider Northflight EMS, city staff will consider possibilities ranging from billing for first responder services to taking over as the city’s primary EMS transporter. The latter would be a huge undertaking, one for which the city could seek taxpayers’ support through a millage — the city already levies one for its police and fire pensions, city Manager Marty Colburn said. Most commissioners agreed there’s work to do regardless of which way the city goes next, including steps that could be taken right away like adding dividers to fire station sleeping quarters to accommodate female employees. “I think the fire stations are well past the need for updating,” Commissioner Brian McGillivary said. “Some of them do...
Source: JEMS Special Topics - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News News Feed EMS EMT Michigan Paramedic Source Type: news