The city of Clark and Clark County are without their own ambulance service for at least the next week.
Multiple sources confirmed that as of 7 a.m. Friday (Nov. 10, 2023), Clark Ambulance shut down, and will remain out of service for at least the next week.
In the meantime, Watertown Fire Rescue will be responsible for ambulance coverage in Clark County. The driving distance between the two cities is 33 miles, and even further to western Clark County. Sources say the issues between Clark Ambulance and the Clark County Commission boil down to staffing, salaries and the lack of overtime pay.
Randy Angermeier is the administrator with Clark Ambulance, which provides 24 hour service. He says he recently worked a stretch of 19 straight days where he was on duty around-the clock. The staff, including Angermeier, consists of just three people.
Bob Koistinen is one of those three. He’s been a paramedic for 33 years. He says all they’re asking for is, “a fair wage.” Right now, Koistinen says when you look at the number of hours worked, and the take home pay, the EMT and paramedics are barely making minimum wage. Koistinen previously worked for Lake Norden Ambulance, and still commutes from there daily. He says the Clark Ambulance employees met with county commissioners in executive session, but would not comment further on those discussions.
The county commission is expected to hear the issues of Clark Ambulance employees again at their meeting this week.
(Story courtesy of news partner KWAT.)
Comments