A Niles area ambulance service is asking the communities it serves to approve an increase in its special assessment. Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service serves the cities of Buchanan and Niles, as well as Buchanan, Niles, Howard, Bertrand, Milton, and Pokagon townships. Director Brian Scribner tells WSJM News costs have gone up for ambulance services.
“Fuel costs have obviously increased for everybody, including us,” Scribner said. “Costs for medical supplies, costs for personal protective gear for our crews have gone up. But probably the most significant increase has come from the cost of recruiting and retaining personnel.”
Scribner says the recruitment shortage is likely to continue for several years. The ambulance service is asking the city and township governments of its communities to approve a five-year increase in its assessment. It would cost residents $10 the first year and then $5 each of the other four years. Scribner says that will enable SMCAS to meet its needs to help protect the community’s safety.
