Another Ambulance Dispute in County

A hearing is set for Thursday morning in Effingham County Circuit Court concerning a County request for relief against a firm operating an ambulance service locally.

The County is seeking relief against Lakeside EMS, which is handling transfer calls. The County has a contract with Abbott EMS to handle ambulance calls locally. The ambulance ordinance indicates services other than Abbott shouldn't handle locally originating calls without a letter of authorization.

In late July, the County filed the suit for injunctive relief against Lakeside EMS. A hearing on that request is set for 11am Thursday.

An item was placed on Monday's county board meeting agenda to consider a letter of authorization for Lakeside to operate in the county, but members decided not to act on the matter while the court case is pending.