By Bill Carey
EMS1
MARSHALL, Ill. — Clark County Ambulance Service in Illinois is celebrating one year since merging with Marshall Fire Protection District Ambulance, improving stability and access for all of Clark County, officials said in a press release.
The merger between the county and Marshall Fire Protection District Ambulance was largely completed on November 1, 2023. However, a 1974 ordinance prevented the full dissolution of the district until taxation matters were resolved. To address this, Senator Chapin Rose introduced legislation that would enable counties to take over ambulance services from fire protection districts. On August 9, 2024, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3402 into law, finalizing the transition. With the new law in effect, EMS personnel are now county employees, and ambulances display the CCAS logo.
“We’ve been down a long road to bring a unified and strong ambulance service to all of Clark County,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Rex Goble said. “As we reach the end of the first year of serving all of Clark County, I believe we have finally achieved that goal. Clark County is truly blessed to have an ambulance service with a staff that is dedicated to giving them the best emergency medical care they could ever hope for.”
Since the merger, Clark County Ambulance hired Brandon “Chace” Bramlett as EMS Director after a nationwide search to lead through the transition and beyond.
“For the last several years, the Marshall Fire Protection District Ambulance Service has struggled to keep our operation going and at the same time keep our tax levy in check, but staffing problems and higher costs led us to seek new answers,” Marshall Fire Protection President Mike Murphy said. “Since the county was having similar problems with staffing, we looked into merging for an answer. The county hired Fitch & Associates to organize a new countywide service.”
The merged service has been running for nearly a year, and the trustees of the Marshall Fire Protection District express satisfaction with the successful merger and Mr. Bramlett’s leadership.
With their guidance, the county board and Marshall Ambulance completed the merger, implementing options to reduce costs, boost revenue and create a sustainable, long-term ambulance system.
Clark County Ambulance now operates two fully staffed ambulances 24/7, with a third added during peak hours, based in Martinsville, Marshall and Casey. This setup allows faster response times compared to the previous model, where staff responded from home, ensuring prompt emergency care countywide.
