Ambulance Oversight Committee Recommends Rural Med for Next 911 Service

The Effingham County Board's Ambulance Oversight Committee Wednesday voted to recommend Rural Med EMS as the next provider of 911 ambulance service in the county.

The vote was 4-2. Members Deb Murbarger and David Budde voted No.

Rural Med is a provider with bases in Farina and Vandalia. They joined current contract holder Abbott EMS and Lakeside EMS as applicants for the new contract. The County's contract with current provider Abbott EMS expires in April 2022. The Board's goal was to have time to make an orderly transition should a different service provider be selected.

The vote by the Ambulance Oversight Committee sends their recommendation to the full County Board. The Board could make their decision on awarding the bid at their meeting on November 15.

Unlike the Effingham County situation with Abbott, Rural Med provides service in Fayette County, but they do not have a contract with the Fayette County Board.