WASHINGTON, Iowa (KWWL) -- Residents are excited about a new Emergency Medical Service in Washington, Iowa, after the city lacked the critical personnel needed to respond to emergencies.
Previously, the city relied on the county's two bases to respond to situations, but if all four of the county's ambulances were on a call or transporting a patient to a hospital, a third base would need to be called. The new EMS program started on July 9, and the volunteer team has already responded to a number of calls, sometimes arriving before the ambulances.
“If someone calls 911 there is a potential gap," Washington Mayor Jaron Rosien said. "Our service and volunteers have stepped up to bridge that gap.”