By Danny Valentine
The Daily Iowan
JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa — The Johnson County Ambulance Service won’t be getting any smaller in the upcoming budget year, but it also might not get an additional two paramedics for its peak hours, county officials said.
More staffing is likely in upcoming years as demand for the service continues to increase, said Johnson County Board of Supervisor Terrence Neuzil. If the supervisors don’t provide the extra funds this year, it will mean more overtime or part-time hours, he said.
The ambulance service has seen an increase of 1,850 calls countywide between fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2009, representing a 33 percent jump. A growing county, busier interstates, coupled with a jump in alcohol-related ambulance calls during late weekend nights is stressing the service, Neuzil and paramedics said.
Full story: Supervisor fears number of emergencies will outpace service’s ability to respond