Ambulance service hosts open house

The Tri-Township Ambulance Service celebrated the first of two open houses to debut the expansion of its building on Saturday. Members from all of the townships were present as well as a mix of community members and members of the ambulance board of directors.

Operations manager Dan Albrecht said they had a fairly decent turn out. He said people seemed to like the new department and thought it was unbelievable for such a small community.

"It gave different people the opportunity to look at how far we've come and how far we've progressed," Albrecht said.

"It was a nice open house. We were proud to show off what we've accomplished here," said Administrative Assistant Alice High.

She said they had a blood pressure screening available for those wishing to check their blood pressure. High said they also handed out file of life packets which include a magnet and wallet sized insert which people would have available in case of emergencies. She also said both activities would be available at the next open house.

High said many people found it hard to believe the ambulance building used to be an old school bus garage. She said the building, which would have otherwise remained abandoned, was purchased by the department and expanded upon.

The newly expanded building is able to store six ambulances, has doubled its crew quarters, can allow six crew members to sleep comfortably and has a classroom. The ambulance department is Advanced Life Support and services the townships of Avery, Briley and Loud as well as Vienna. The service is capable of Critical Care Transport, meaning they can transport patients who normally go by air if air transport is not available.

"We're one of the very few services in Northeast Michigan that can do that," Albrecht said.

The building cost $265,000 and was completed in June of 2008. Albrecht said they were able to fund the building without a new millage by their increase in revenue. He said the department has run on one mill since 1990.

Albrecht said the ambulance department now has 35 employees and the ambulance department has the capabilities to cover the busiest of days. He said the completion of the building has allowed the service to house six of the eight ambulances, instead of storing them outside as they have had to do in the past.

The ambulance board of directors set two open house dates for the community to attend in case of conflicting schedule times. The next open house is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 from 5-8 p.m.