The DeWitt County Ambulance Advisory Committee has taken the next step towards it goal of finding a new ambulance service for the county.

Thursday night the committee unanimously approved a Request For Proposal, or RFP.  Chair Teresa Barnett explains the RFP lays out all of the requirements the committee has identified as essential for any county-supported ambulance service.  She says the main points covered are Advanced Lifesaving Service (ALS), community interaction, and use of county supported mapping systems.

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According to Barnett, the committee believes an ALS service - which is the type currently provided in DeWitt County - is non-negotiable.  She says the group doesn't want to see the service provided citizens go backwards, and notes there are many ways a vendor could provide ALS service.

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The Request For Proposal now goes to the full DeWitt County Board for approval on July 19th.  Barnett notes once the full board signs off on the RFP, the wheels will be set in motion for the committee to ultimately make its final decision on an ambulance provider in late August.

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Barnett congratulated the 9-member committee on accomplishing one of its major tasks in such a timely fashion.  The DeWitt County Ambulance Advisory Committee was formed earlier this year after voters overwhelmingly approved a tax referendum to support a county based ambulance service.  The Dr. John Warner Hospital currently provides the service for much of the county, however they will halt ambulance service at the end of the year citing financial concerns.

TOP PHOTO:  Ambulance Committee members hear from the public Thursday night.

BOTTOM PHOTO: A draft map of the area of DeWitt County that will be served by the chosen vendor.