New $1 Mil. ambulance station being built in Eagle Rock
June 12, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
After over a year of discussion, residents in the Eagle Rock area will have more reliable access to emergency ambulance services. The South Barry County Ambulance District (SBCAD) is building a new ambulance station adjacent to the Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano Fire Protection headquarters at 30625 State Highway 86 in Eagle Rock.
According to board president Ken Cieslinski, the board's decision to build the new $1.1 million facility was a long time coming. He said, "It's been in the works for 18 months probably."
The facility will be the third ambulance station for SBCAD. The existing two are in Cassville and Shell Knob. The Eagle Rock area was chosen based on call volume. Currently, the average ambulance call in the Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano area takes approximately 40 minutes before crews arrive, which can put a strain on first responders.
Cieslinski explained, "We are doing the best we can with the resources we have for the constituents we represent. That was the next community in line based on sheer number of calls that really needed it.
"The numbers drive where we need to be. Obviously Cassville and Shell Knob are the two primaries which is the reason we have facilities in both of those locations. The next busiest would be Seligman and Eagle Rock/Golden/Mano areas. It has more calls than any of the other jurisdictions, so it was the entire board's decision on where."
The new station will be approximately 4,000 square feet, and will have two ambulance bays, living quarters, a supervisor's office, a work room, a decontamination room, a supply room and a safe room for staff. Outside, there will also be a helicopter landing pad in the event that additional aircraft are needed for an emergency response.
The project is designed by Dewitt and Associates. D. R. Stovall, president of DeWitt and Associates, said, "A quicker emergency response will change a life because of this project. We are proud of being part of the team that brings this solution."
The property the facility will be constructed on was donated to the district by the Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano Fire Protection District so that emergency services in the area could be in one location. Chief Mark Pierson said, "The Eagle Rock Golden Mano Fire Department greatly appreciates the South Barry County Ambulance Board, along with Mercy EMS, for all they have done. We look forward to continued growth and providing ouR residents with the best possible care."
The SBCAD, a sales tax-funded entity, will be footing the bill for the construction of the new station. In April 2015, Barry County voters approved a 1/2-cent sales tax for the district, opening up the ability for expansion of locations and services. When the district sought the sales tax, it was passed to ensure the future of emergency medical service in the southern half of the county.
Last year, SCAD brought in $846,842.32 in sales tax revenue. Prior to the sales tax passage, the district operated on a sales tax levy that generated approximately $220,000 annually.
The ambulance district uses its funding to purchase new ambulances and equipment when needed, as well as maintenance on its buildings and operation costs.
Since that change, the ambulance service was also changed from CoxHealth, that held the contract for 27 years, to Mercy in March 2016. Mercy continues to operate the ambulance service for SBCAD.
According to Bob Patterson, executive director for the EMS program, there is currently full staffing at the Shell Knob station and the Cassville station with two 24-hour crews, as well as additional 12 hour peak hour units. He said potentially, there should be a 24 hour crew at the new Eagle Rock facility with additional peak unit crew, if needed.
Cieslinski said, "Mercy has been really good as we upgrade the ambulances, old equipment is getting refurbished and is going out to the outlying fire districts so they have better equipment to better help their constituents. It's a community effort.
"We need to help facilitate to get people the emergent care they need."
Construction on the new ambulance station is expected to be complete in December of this year. From there, it's possible the district will continue projects to increase services. Cieslinksi said, "We should be able to fund this project as part of a larger plan as the budget allows to get facilities out in these outlying areas so people aren't waiting 40 to 50 minutes for an ambulance. A forty-minute response time is typical in that area."
Charlea Estes-Jones
After over a year of discussion, residents in the Eagle Rock area will have more reliable access to emergency ambulance services. The South Barry County Ambulance District (SBCAD) is building a new ambulance station adjacent to the Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano Fire Protection headquarters at 30625 State Highway 86 in Eagle Rock.
According to board president Ken Cieslinski, the board's decision to build the new $1.1 million facility was a long time coming. He said, "It's been in the works for 18 months probably."
The facility will be the third ambulance station for SBCAD. The existing two are in Cassville and Shell Knob. The Eagle Rock area was chosen based on call volume. Currently, the average ambulance call in the Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano area takes approximately 40 minutes before crews arrive, which can put a strain on first responders.
Cieslinski explained, "We are doing the best we can with the resources we have for the constituents we represent. That was the next community in line based on sheer number of calls that really needed it.
"The numbers drive where we need to be. Obviously Cassville and Shell Knob are the two primaries which is the reason we have facilities in both of those locations. The next busiest would be Seligman and Eagle Rock/Golden/Mano areas. It has more calls than any of the other jurisdictions, so it was the entire board's decision on where."
The new station will be approximately 4,000 square feet, and will have two ambulance bays, living quarters, a supervisor's office, a work room, a decontamination room, a supply room and a safe room for staff. Outside, there will also be a helicopter landing pad in the event that additional aircraft are needed for an emergency response.
The project is designed by Dewitt and Associates. D. R. Stovall, president of DeWitt and Associates, said, "A quicker emergency response will change a life because of this project. We are proud of being part of the team that brings this solution."
The property the facility will be constructed on was donated to the district by the Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano Fire Protection District so that emergency services in the area could be in one location. Chief Mark Pierson said, "The Eagle Rock Golden Mano Fire Department greatly appreciates the South Barry County Ambulance Board, along with Mercy EMS, for all they have done. We look forward to continued growth and providing ouR residents with the best possible care."
The SBCAD, a sales tax-funded entity, will be footing the bill for the construction of the new station. In April 2015, Barry County voters approved a 1/2-cent sales tax for the district, opening up the ability for expansion of locations and services. When the district sought the sales tax, it was passed to ensure the future of emergency medical service in the southern half of the county.
Last year, SCAD brought in $846,842.32 in sales tax revenue. Prior to the sales tax passage, the district operated on a sales tax levy that generated approximately $220,000 annually.
The ambulance district uses its funding to purchase new ambulances and equipment when needed, as well as maintenance on its buildings and operation costs.
Since that change, the ambulance service was also changed from CoxHealth, that held the contract for 27 years, to Mercy in March 2016. Mercy continues to operate the ambulance service for SBCAD.
According to Bob Patterson, executive director for the EMS program, there is currently full staffing at the Shell Knob station and the Cassville station with two 24-hour crews, as well as additional 12 hour peak hour units. He said potentially, there should be a 24 hour crew at the new Eagle Rock facility with additional peak unit crew, if needed.
Cieslinski said, "Mercy has been really good as we upgrade the ambulances, old equipment is getting refurbished and is going out to the outlying fire districts so they have better equipment to better help their constituents. It's a community effort.
"We need to help facilitate to get people the emergent care they need."
Construction on the new ambulance station is expected to be complete in December of this year. From there, it's possible the district will continue projects to increase services. Cieslinksi said, "We should be able to fund this project as part of a larger plan as the budget allows to get facilities out in these outlying areas so people aren't waiting 40 to 50 minutes for an ambulance. A forty-minute response time is typical in that area."