Decatur picks new ambulance service
DECATUR, Ill. (WICS) — The City of Decatur will soon have a new ambulance service.
City officials narrowed down their list of options to three and from there they settled on Abbott EMS/GMR.
The company was issued a license to operate ambulance services and now begins the transition process to the new provider.
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“This was a tough decision but we believe we made the right one for the EMS needs of Decatur and greater Macon County,” said Scot Wrighton, Decatur City Manager. “The company best matching, complying with, and exceeding the requirements of Chapter 53 of the City Code, bringing the greatest amount of experience and resources to the community, and best fitting the needs of the area is Abbott EMS/GMR.”
Abbott EMS/GMR's parent company, Global Medical Response (GMR), has been in operation since 1996 and provides service in 40 states.
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City officials say the fact that Abbott EMS/GMR has comparable operations in the region also means they would likely have more ready access to temporarily back-up, short-term staffing vacancies in Decatur, or to supply back-up vehicles in the event of unplanned breakdowns or accidents.
Abbott EMS will provide six Advanced Life Support (ALS) units and two Quick Response Vehicles (QRV) units. The company has indicated they would seek to employ a majority of Decatur Ambulance Service (DAS) staff if they wish.
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For more information, you can reach out to the City Manager’s Office at 217-424-2801. Chapter 53 of the City Code regarding the ambulance license can be found here: https://decaturil.gov/departments/city-administration/legal/.
