The need to keep and attract qualified professionals and the maintaining and replacing equipment are just some of the reasons that people with the Audrain County Ambulance District they are asking …
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The need to keep and attract qualified professionals and the maintaining and replacing equipment are just some of the reasons that people with the Audrain County Ambulance District they are asking for a tax levy increase on the April 4 ballot.
The Audrain Ambulance District asked the voters to approve a .30 cents per $100 dollar assessed value tax levy increase during the August, 2022 general election. The vote was close, however failed by just 11 votes. Shortly thereafter a Citizens Committee for Audrain Ambulance District was formed and conducted a survey of surrounding ambulance districts in Montgomery, Van-Far, and Cole. The results of that survey came back that Audrain County needed to increase the wages for certified EMT's and Paramedics.
Currently an Audrain County EMT makes $13.50/hour and Paramedics make $15.00/hour. The results of the survey showed that Audrain County Ambulance District wages were lower than other districts in Central MO.
Graeme Goodwin, Audrain County Ambulance District Director says "Without a competitive wage employees are leaving for other districts. We need to keep our starting pay competitive to attract licensed EMT's and Paramedics."
Another challenge facing the district is replacing aging ambulances. It is recommended an ambulance be replaced at 200,00 to 250,000 miles. The oldest ambulance in the Audrain Ambulance District currently has 181,000 miles. According to industry standards it now takes 18 months for a new ambulance to be built. The Audrain County Ambulance District reports putting about 180,000 miles on their ambulances and responded to 3,287 calls in 2022.
Don Decker, a member of the Citizens Committee for Audrain Ambulance District says they need to keep their equipment up to date. "When the phone rings we need our ambulances ready to respond to any medical emergency."
Audrain County resident Brian Pursifull, says he is a perfect example of needing an ambulance that was ready to respond quickly recently. A couple of weeks ago I had to be transported to Columbia due to a medical situation. I was astounded by the professionalism of the Audrain Ambulance District. It is important to keep that professionalism in this district."
On April 4, 2023 the Audrain County Ambulance District will ask voters to approve a .15 cents per $100 dollar assessed value.
