By Frank Denzler
The Rushville Republican, Ind.
RUSHVILLE, Ind. — What a difference a year has made for the Anderson Township Volunteer Fire Department. In January, the department was on the brink of losing its EMS contract with the county to provide emergency medical service to the southern portion of the county.
Thanks to the efforts of volunteer members in the department and the addition of more EMTs, a paid medical person on station daily Monday through Friday and a willingness to realize and work toward improvements, the county leaders rescinded that termination letter in July of this year.
According to ATVFD chief Nick White, the department has worked diligently in recent months to improve a number of areas within the department. Monday, members of the department’s fire and EMS staff, county commissioner Mark Bacon and others gathered to dedicate a remounted ambulance to their fleet at the Milroy Fire station.
“It has been with hard work and dedication that the 24 active members of the Anderson Twp. fire and EMS department has overcome many obstacles to get to this point,” first assistant fire chief Rob Puckett said.
During 2010 with financial assistance from Anderson Township Trustee Karen Jenkins and the Rush County commissioners, ATVFD assumed emergency medical service (EMS) for the southern district of the county. At that time, the department purchased a 10-year-old ambulance and has averaged roughly 140 medical calls annually since that time.
The aging ambulance was in need of attention and Jenkins, the county leaders and the advisory council worked together to remount the former ambulance box onto a new 2014 frame.
Currently, the department is hosting EMT training in hopes of further expanding the department’s fire and medical staff and the volunteers are looking forward to county fire mandatory course that will be held in the spring of 2015.
Chief White and 1st assistant chief Rob Puckett and others said the department is looking to expand and is seeking volunteers.
“With a growing coverage area, we welcome new volunteers to the department. If you have a calling to serve the citizens of southern Rush County, your neighbor or family, please contact the department,” Puckett said.
©2014 The Rushville Republican