WASHINGTON, Ill. — Northern Tazewell Fire Protection District has provided ambulance service in Sunnyland since 1970, but, as of December 1, the fire district will contract with the Washington Fire Department for full-time ambulance service.
NTFPD will still provide fire and rescue response with volunteer staff.
Washington’s second ambulance service will be based at the NTFPD’s fire house on Crestlawn. It will serve the district and the far west side of Washington, according to a press release.
There will be no added cost to homeowners due to the agreement between NTFPD and Washington Fire.
“Staffing and paying for a full-time ambulance in a mostly rural district has been a challenge. Without a call load to pay the staff, we’ve been pulling funding from the fire protection side, and that just doesn’t help anybody. With Washington, we bring Advanced Life Support directly to our residents’ doors without delay,” said Jim Campbell, of Northern Tazewell’s trustees.
The NTFPD and Washington Fire Department held a joint meeting earlier in November to announce the changes to their staff.
“Both boards saw this was a win for the Washington-area residents and an efficient way to stretch resources. We have a tradition in fire and medical service of working together. Washington and Northern Tazewell fight fires together. Why shouldn’t we work together on the ambulance side, too?” said Washington Fire Chief Brett Brown.
The Washington Fire Department will continue its primary ambulance service out of the firehouse on Wilmor Road.
