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Ambulance replacement timeline on track in Murray Co.

SLAYTON — Murray County’s ambulance service can look ahead with confidence when it comes to the next replacement of an ambulance unit.

County commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting approved a continuation of the vehicle replacement funding system, which includes annual fees assessed to cities and townships in the Murray County Ambulance service area. It includes the cities of Slayton, Currie, Avoca, Iona, Hadley and Lake Wilson; along with four entire townships and parts of five others.

The crew logged a total of 505 runs in 2018. Murray County Ambulance EMS Director Jennifer Kirchner said that total has increased steadily in the past several years.

Two replacement vehicles were obtained in 2014 and 2015. The second purchase was made with help totaling $125,000 from grant dollars through the Minnesota Department of Health’s Rural Hospital Capital Improvement grant program.

“The trucks have provided us with stability to serve our communities over the past five years,” Kirchner said. “Every year the call volume and demands for EMS are increasing. The wear on the trucks takes its toll.”

The next ambulance replacement, expected within the next several years, will cost an estimated $175,000 to $210,000. The vehicle replacement fund provided $34,510 in replacement funds in 2018.

The area being served covers 295 square miles altogether in the center of the county. The city of Fulda operates a neighboring ambulance service with a territory that extends into Nobles, Cottonwood and Jackson counties.

Seven additional ambulance squads provide service in the three other corners of Murray County. These are Westbrook, Walnut Grove, Tracy, Balaton, Tyler, Pipestone and Edgerton.

The cities of Iona and Lake Wilson have not made payments to the replacement fund since 2013. Chanarambie Township near Lake Wilson also did not pay in 2018. It meant the fund had $4,230 less for the year, an amount that might lead to a one-year delay to have a grand total large enough to fall within the price range of a new unit.

“It would be helpful if everyone contributed,” Kirshner said. “That could make a difference in how soon we can buy replacements. They’re served either way because it’s required by law.”

She said the ambulance payments are pro-rated for any township that is only partially within the Murray County Ambulance service area. Chanarambie, along with four other townships, fall into three different areas. Another seven townships are served by two.

“As long as it’s pro-rated, they aren’t being overcharged,” said Murray County Commissioner Lori Gunnink. “My own township contributes to more than one ambulance.”

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