Henry, Jefferson counties no longer pursuing possibility of joint ambulance service

FAIRFIELD - The City of Fairfield Ambulance Board has decided not to pursue a joint partnership with Henry County for ambulance services at this time. Instead, the board asked the City of Fairfield to look into the possibility of operating the service.

Currently, the county, city and hospital have a contract with Midwest Ambulance Services of Iowa, a private company based out of Grinnell. The contract expires on Sept. 30, 2020, leading the board to look into possible options instead of renewing the contract with Midwest Ambulance Services of Iowa.

At the city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, council member and ambulance board member Paul Gandy said one of the options the board has explored was the possibility of a collaboration with Henry County. However, Gandy said the optimism over the initial prospect has dwindled and the board has decided not to move forward with the joint venture at this time. He said due to the contract the city, county and hospital have with Midwest Ambulance Services of Iowa, it was unable to procure enough evidence to decide whether a joint partnership would be financially feasible.

He said after discussions, the board also discovered Henry County, the City of Mt. Pleasant and the Henry County Health Center were not as unified in an agreement to look into a partnership as it originally appeared. Representatives from the Henry County Health Center have already announced the hospital will cease all ambulance services in June 2020 due to cost.

Gandy said the possibility of a partnership with Henry County has not been entirely ruled out and could happen in the future, but for right now, the board has decided not to pursue that avenue. Instead, the board voted and requested the City of Fairfield look into the possibility of a city lead ambulance service. Aaron Kookier, Fairfield City Administrator, will lead the project.

'We'll be moving with caution but with speed to make sure we have a service in place in a timely fashion,” Gandy said.