Niemann Takes Issue w/Agencies Encouraging Use of Other Than 911 Services

Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann took issue at Monday's board meeting with social media posts suggesting that using the 10-digit phone numbers of two local ambulance services will generate the same results as phoning 911.

One media post indicated that using one of the 10-digit numbers is "the same as calling 911, but more digits."

The numbers listed will reach Abbott EMS and A-1 Ambulance in Altamont.

We spoke by phone with A-1 Co-Owner Adam Huston Tuesday afternoon. Huston said the post "did not come from A-1 Ambulance's Facebook page." He did say that they have advertised their service since they opened last year, and that Abbott and A-1 have supported each other with mutual aid for the last several months.

In a portion of his statement Monday, Niemann said "911 is a nationally recognized number that provides immediate access to telecommunicators who are trained to assist in medical response for the caller until the ambulance arrives." Niemann added, "In my opinion, these efforts to encourage people to not use the 911 system are self-serving and an effort to generate profits and undermine the 911 system."