The FACTS about the Greater Lakeland Ambulance | News

Polk County, Florida-- The Polk County Fire Rescue sent out information for county residents to know what they are "REALLY doing with the West Lakeland Ambulance" and what it means for county residents.

Here's what they had to say:

• “As leaders of Polk County Fire Rescue we are continually asking ourselves if there are things we can do to cut costs and still provide a superior level of service,” said Chief David Cash. “We determined that changes could be made to keep us focused on our core mission, providing the best possible pre-hospital emergency care to Polk’s residents and visitors.”
• Polk County Fire Rescue is NOT shrinking service to West Lakeland.
• The West Lakeland ambulance station is transitioning from two24/7 ambulances to one 24/7 and one Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ambulance, known as a  “Day Car”
• After the transition PCFR will have nine, 24/7 ambulances and two, Day Cars serving the Lakeland/Mulberry area.
• No one is losing his or her job. The employees are being reassigned to a vacant position of their choice. Positions are vacant through attrition.
• “The most important thing is to get a paramedic to the patient as soon as possible and we realize there are multiple ways to accomplish this goal,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Chief David Cash.
• In addition, Polk County Fire Rescue and Lakeland Fire Department currently staff 10 AdvancedLife Support Engines (engine with an EMT and paramedic, same staffing as anambulance) in the Lakeland area.
• As a contingency, Polk County Fire Rescue has placed an ambulance in the Willow Oak Fire Station located off Hwy 60 in Mulberry and can be staffed with an EMT and Paramedic to respond to calls in Lakeland if needed.

What does this mean to Polk’s residents and visitors?

• In an effort to save taxpayer dollars Polk County Fire Rescue houses ambulances in fire stations, to more evenly distribute paramedics throughout the county and improve paramedic response times.
• PCFR eliminated nearly 80 percent of stand-bys and is transitioning non-emergency transfer of patients to private sector ambulance companies. This saves on fuel consumption, wear and tear on vehicles and most importantly wear and tear on Fire Rescue personnel.
• By transitioning non-emergency transfers to private sector ambulance companies, PCFR ambulances are more available for 9-1-1 calls.

Visit Polk County on the web, www.polk-county.net."