STREATOR – Streator city officials have narrowed down two proposals for ambulance services. Council members sat down to review proposals from two outside ambulance service personnel providers, Paramedic Services of Illinois and American Medical Response, Inc. as well as in-house services with the Streator Fire Department, on Tuesday night at a committee meeting.
Council members agreed to discuss the most viable options moving forward, being PSI or AMR at a 3-year contract, both estimated at around $3 million for either service. Streator Fire Chief Gary Bird offered the city 6 additional dual emergency medical technician firefighters and 9 civilian employees but would cost the city just over $4 million.
Bird says the six firefighters would come from their current hiring list and train them to be EMT certified. Mayor Tara Beidei says with the Streator Fire Department’s proposal, leaves issues like insurance costs, income, and collective bargaining with union members thereafter. Another bonus of outsourcing is an opportunity for the city to make revenue via intergovernmental agreements with neighboring towns by extending services.
The proposal is for personnel only, and the city would have to provide the respective equipment for whichever service they choose. CoVID-19 relief funds will support the additional equipment costs. A number of considerations are in mind, like personnel availability, quality of care, revenue, and billing services.
A last sit-down discussion will be held on Monday at 6 p.m. at Streator’s City Hall.
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