Ambulances called 105 times in January

Marion County Emergency Medical Services responded to 105 calls in January, up from 99 in January 2010.

Hillsboro’s ambulance crew was the busiest, with 34 calls in the city, followed by Marion with 25; Peabody, 18; Goessel, 7; Florence, 5; Burns, 4; Lincolnville, 4; Lost Springs, 2; Tampa, 2; and Lehigh, 1. Marion County ambulances made three trips out-of-county: two to Wichita and one to Herington.

Calls included 14 with advanced life support, 70 basic life support, 10 transfers, 8 non-transports, and 3 other calls.

Rescue truck volunteers in the county will attend a demonstration of a new type of extrication saw better suited to modern vehicles April 1 and 2, EMS Director Steve Smith said. Layered steel used in new cars presents problems for “jaws-of-life” style cutters, he said. The cost to outfit all rescue units in the county with the new saws would be about $5,500.