MAPLETON – Ambulances are now operating out of a Drayton location around the clock.
Fire Chief Rick Richardson noted the change in a report at the March 22 council meeting.
“They have changed as of Sunday to a 24-hour service in Drayton,” said Richardson.
“So instead of the ambulance being there, eight in the morning until eight at night, seven days a week, they’re now at Drayton (fire) hall 24 hours a day.”
However, the chief pointed out, a planned move of the ambulance station from the Drayton fire station to the former Wellington County public works garage on John Street has been delayed.
“That’s not ready to go yet. They’re thinking it might be May yet before they can get in there,” Richardson explained.
Mayor Gregg Davidson noted that while the county has completed renovations to the John Street facility, some issues with communications equipment are delaying the move.
“That’s something we’ve been working on for a couple years now, to get the paramedics to the John Street location,” said Davidson.
“They’re taking up three bays in that location, which they’re running the community paramedicine program out of as well for the county.”
Davidson said the move to 24-hour service from Drayton is welcome.
“There’s such a vast area of Mapleton that is very difficult for the paramedics from other areas to cover us during the nighttime,” Davidson stated, adding the additional service will take some pressure off the local fire department.
