By EMS1 Staff
KENNETT, Mo. — A fire department is concerned its ambulance response times will be slowed when they lose a local hospital.
KAIT8 reported that Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, where Kennett Fire Department EMS providers transport patients for critical stabilization, recently announced they are consolidating with another hospital.
Fire Chief John Mallott said he’s concerned that the loss of the local hospital will mean that EMS providers will take longer trying to stabilize patients, and a longer commute will mean longer response times.
“We’re still in the fire and rescue business so we have to look at the possibility of tying up a fire apparatus that has that rescue equipment longer at a scene,” Chief Mallott said. “How can we get it released but still not do patient abandonment, but keep a first responder there to provide that basic medical care until that Medic One EMS and the paramedic gets there?”
Chief Mallott said his staff members have completed multiple advanced medical training courses, and those skills will be even more necessary with the closing of the hospital.