By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
MENTONE — Amid the shock and disappointment that came after Four Way Ambulance Services announced it would cease operations last week, there is some hope.
The ambulance board of directors announced Wednesday that they would no longer provide emergency medical services to the community after Friday.
The volunteer service has provided coverage to four townships — those include Harrison, Franklin and part of Seward townships in Kosciusko County — a tradition that dates back 51 years.
Jill Gross, who is president of both the EMS board and the fire board, was still stunned about the situation on Thursday.
“It’s terrible,” she said. “One of those things that makes you sick to your stomach.”
She said the decision came after months of looking for alternative solutions to keep the non-profit service operating.
The lack of money and a lack of volunteer support led to the decision, she said.
The service ended, she said, because of their inability to find three people to work each shift.
But while the service has ceased for now, Gross said she’s continuing to look at other solutions, but declined to say what that might entail.
“We have more options out there. It’s just taking more time,” she said.
Tim Croy, who’s part of the local fire department and a longtime member of town council, said the decision to cease service was disappointing but understands why it had to happen.
Croy also sought to allay fears among area residents concerned if they encountered a medical emergency.
He said the fire department is trained and ready to help in a moment’s notice.
“I don’t want the community to think, ‘our ambulance is gone. what if I have a heart attack and have to wait 20 minutes?’ That’s not going to happen,” Croy said. “We still have a fire department right here in town that’s going to respond.”
In the meantime, beginning Saturday morning, residents who are having a medical emergency are urged to call 911 and a dispatcher will contact the closest ambulance service. – most likely from Parkview or Lutheran.
The service was discontinued after a final shift that ended at midnight Friday.
The letter to the community read in part, “We can’t fully express our deep gratitude to our past and current staff, board of directors, and our supporters for all their efforts during the Four Way ambulance service to the community. Thank you again for the 51 years of support.”
