Local News

Additional Ambulances Coming For Eclipse

MADRAS, OR -- The Eclipse is less than a month away, and Jefferson County is trying to think ahead. In case of serious medical emergencies, the region may need the help of extra ambulances, and St. Charles Health System has come up with a plan to provide them where they'll be needed most.

 

Jefferson County Administrative Officer Jeff Rasmussen says bringing in additional medics is a collaborative effort. "Our fire district and our ambulance district and St. Charles will be asking for funds to go out and get additional ambulances to be on-site mainly in Crook and Jefferson to do the transporting between hospitals." He tells KBND News the total cost of the additional resources is around $30,000. "Prineville and Crook County have already committed $5,000 each, St. Charles has committed $10,000." He believes Madras City Councilors will approve a portion at Tuesday evening's meeting, and Jefferson County Commissioners are expected to vote Wednesday morning to pitch in the remainder.
 
The additional ambulances will be deployed mostly throughout Jefferson and Crook counties in the days surrounding the eclipse, but Rasmussen says they'll also be available to Deschutes County. They're likely to be dispatched through the Multi-Agency Command Center set up in Redmond. "I Think they will get assigned to what they call the 'MACC,' that'll be the big EOC operation that's really getting staffed by Deschutes at the fairgrounds that will really be monitoring the tri-county area."

 

 

Eclipse Coverage on KBND is supported in part by Awnings Unlimited. Shade yourself from the sun with Awnings Unlimited at 5541-389-1619 and awningsunlimited.net.

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