BEDFORD – In 2023, the Commissioners approved and signed a contract with IU Health to provide ambulance service for Lawrence County.
Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer provided the commissioner with an update.
“Everything has been very positive,” Luchauer added. “We are not without an ambulance like in the past. If we are, it is because we have numerous medical runs at one time. Thanks to Shawswick’s ambulance service, not having an available ambiance rarely happens. The contract with IU has provided a very positive outcome.”
According to the contract, IU Health will station three 911 ambulances and one squad or chase vehicle in Lawrence County on April 1, 2023. These units are stationed at Dunn Plaza. The county will provide and pay for the building and dorms for those manning the medical units.
These three ambulances will NOT leave Lawrence County. They will only leave when transporting a critical patient from an accident or incident scene to the closest appropriate care facility.
IU will staff an ambulance for the hospital’s inter-facility transports.
Lawrence County Central Dispatch will be responsible for dispatching ambulances. The county will also provide portable radios and mobile data terminals for the ambulances and squad.
The county agrees to pay IU Health a stipend of $300,000 to cover ambulance service from April 1, 2023, through December 21, 2023. The annual stipend will increase in 2024, 2025, and 2026 to $400,000. All payments will be made bi-annually on July 30th and December 31.
The county will pay for this contract with American Rescue Plan Funds. Lawrence County received $4.4 million in ARP Funds.
On January 1, 2023, IU provided two 911 ambulances and one squad. IU hired 16 EMTs and five paramedics to fulfill their contractual and hospital obligations.
“IU will be holding an EMT class again in 2024 and paying those who attend,” said Luchauer. “Those who complete the class successfully will be offered a position with the IU LifeLine ambulance service.
