SAUGATUCK, MI (WHTC AM/FM) – With an increase in call volume and staffing challenges, officials with the Saugatuck Township Fire District say the response time for transporting ambulances has increased significantly.
That’s prompting them to survey residents within the Fire District about possible options to provide quicker run times.
The Fire District protects a 34 square mile area covering the City of Saugatuck, the City of the Village of Douglas, and Saugatuck Township, with crews responding to all fire and medical emergencies, with an average response time of five minutes and 45 seconds.
If you live north of 130th Avenue, the transporting ambulance is provided by American Medical Response (AMR) and responds from Holland. If you live south of 130th, the transporting ambulance is provided by LIFE EMS and responds from the City of Fennville. The District’s Medical First Responders arrive first to provide life saving measures until the transporting ambulance arrives.
Adding an ambulance could be a costly item. LIFE EMS says adding a private ambulance in Saugatuck/Douglas could cost up to $750,000 annually. Fire District officials say that would equate to approximately $200 annually on a $200,000 home.
Now through July 20, the Fire District is asking area residents to respond to an online survey that should take five to 10 minutes to complete. The link is available here.
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