ELGIN – The Lawton-based ambulance service Kirk’s EMS may have an ambulance stationed in Elgin by next month.
The licensure is already in place, but Kirk’s still has some loose ends to tie up before it can set up shop in Elgin, EMS Director Bruce Crowell said Wednesday.
“We want to be there by August 1, for sure,” he said. “The quicker, the better.”
Earlier this year, Elgin City Council approved a one-year contract with Kirk’s to house an ambulance at the old Elgin police station, at no cost to the city. The ambulance will be staffed around the clock at the Advanced Life Support level.
Kirk’s’ primary response area will be the city of Elgin, but the ambulance service will also respond to any call requested by the Comanche County Dispatch Center, Southwest Chronicle reported in March.
Kirk’s will provide emergency and non-emergency transportation within the city limits and assist the Elgin Fire Department on all calls, as requested. The ambulance service will also obtain mutual aid agreements with EMS providers in neighboring communities to assist with coverage if Kirk’s’ units aren’t available due to a high number of emergency calls.
Stationing an ambulance in Elgin will mean Kirk’s can respond more quickly to calls in Elgin and outlying communities, which will mean better service for area residents, Crowell said.
“This will cut our response times by more than half,” he said.
Elgin Fire Chief Mike Baker said Elgin residents will see the benefit of quicker responses to emergency calls.
“The biggest thing is just decreased response times,” he said.
As part of the contract, Elgin will provide Kirk’s with an office and a covered bay at the old police station. The city is covering the cost of remodeling the building and providing telephone and internet service.
The ambulance service will be responsible setting rates, obtaining subscription service contracts and collecting fees.