Hagar Township has completed an expansion project at its public safety building, making it possible for an ambulance crew to be stationed in the township full-time.
Hagar Township Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio tells us the $540,000 expansion means Medic 1 will no longer have to drive all the way from Coloma or Watervliet to respond to emergencies in Hagar Township.
“It’s the first time in 180 years, or whatever that Hagar Township has been in existence, that we have a full-time paramedic service,” DiMaggio said.
DiMaggio says this is also about more than just having ambulance service.
“Not only is there renovation for Medic 1, but also an expansion for our own fire department, which will make it easier to attract some additional personnel, gives us some additional office space, an office for our fire marshal, our chief, our treasurer, storage space, etc.”
DiMaggio says the project at 3061 Coloma Road was financed without one dollar of township general funds. Rather, it was paid for by the Riverside DDA, the Hagar Township Fire Board, and federal ARPA funds. All permits have been secured to occupy the facility, and first responders should be moving into it soon.
DiMaggio says this will greatly reduce ambulance response times, especially during the summer when the population swells with all of the tourists.
