Merrill Fire Department to Host Public Meetings on Ambulance Service
The Merrill Fire Department is inviting residents to attend a series of public information meetings this month focused on local ambulance service and the challenges facing emergency medical response in the community.
Department leaders will provide an overview of the history of ambulance service in southern Lincoln County, discuss current operational demands, and explain potential funding options for the future. Each session will also feature a guest speaker with experience in emergency medical services who will be available to answer questions from attendees.
The first meeting took place Wednesday evening, 6 pm at the Merrill Fire Station on Pier Street. The featured speaker for the evening wa James Small of the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, who specializes in rural EMS trends and strategies for addressing increasing demand and limited resources.
Additional meetings are planned for July 14, 15, 27, and 28 at various locations and times. Those unable to attend in person can also watch a live stream on the Merrill Fire Department’s Facebook page.
The meetings come as the City of Merrill and Lincoln County continue negotiations on a new ambulance service agreement. The two governments have partnered to provide ambulance service in the southern two-thirds of Lincoln County since 1970, with the current contract dating back to 2008.
Fire Chief Josh Klug says the meetings are an opportunity for residents to learn more about the department’s work, the challenges it faces, and the future of ambulance service in the community. The public is encouraged to attend.
