Chillicothe hires AMT for EMS

On Tuesday, the Rescue 33 garage fell silent as the squad prepared to contest its permanent suspension from the Peoria Area EMS. Despite the looming deadline, Rescue 33 managed to handle a few calls overnight, with their last official shift ending at 6 a.m. Tuesday. They now have 15 days to formally appeal the suspension.

Chillicothe Fire Chief John Myers confirmed that AMT is now responsible for all the services previously provided by Rescue 33. He emphasized that there would be no confusion regarding emergency response areas, as AMT has already stationed an ambulance at Fire Station No. 1. Myers mentioned that he learned of the transition late Thursday night, giving him little time to prepare.

Rescue 33’s service area covers both Chillicothe and parts of Marshall County, potentially serving around 15,000 residents. AMT, a not-for-profit organization, operates 32 Advanced Life Support ambulances across Peoria, Pekin, Streator, Mercer County, and even extends into Dubuque, Iowa. Myers explained that if AMT is handling a call, they will ensure an ambulance is stationed within the coverage area—likely somewhere near Rome or Mossville.

Established in the 1960s, Rescue 33 has maintained its tradition of providing free services to the community. Initially staffed solely by volunteers with basic emergency medical training, the squad recently began hiring part-time EMTs to meet increasing demand, a move that has significantly driven up operational costs. According to Rescue 33 President Ron Hedden, transitioning to full-time paid staff could cost anywhere between $300,000 and $400,000 annually.

Funding for Rescue 33 has always relied heavily on donations and fundraising efforts. Their most recent event, the Bailey's Labor Day Breakfast, raised an impressive $19,000 and counting. “We deeply appreciate everyone’s support,” Hedden stated, expressing gratitude for the community’s backing. Residents have also shown solidarity through initiatives like the Facebook group SOA – Save Our Ambulance, where volunteers collected signatures for petitions at the breakfast.