The City of Harrisburg recently signed a contract with Deaconess Illinois EMS, giving the ambulance company exclusive first call rights, effective February 1.
“Residents of Harrisburg now know that if they need emergency medical response, the first call will be for an ambulance from Deaconess Illinois EMS,” said Mayor John McPeek. “This contract guarantees that there will always be 911 ambulance service in the community, staffed by EMTs or paramedics who are trained in providing life support. As Mayor, I feel our city is much safer with this service from Deaconess Illinois EMS.”
The four year contract was approved at the Harrisburg City Council meeting on December 19, 2019. The contract specifies that an EMS base will be located within the City of Harrisburg.
“Having grown up in Southern Illinois I know firsthand the importance of timely, dependable EMS service in communities like Harrisburg,” said Dr. James Porter, President, Deaconess Health System. “Deaconess Illinois is very pleased to continue to expand these essential services, building on successful relationships with our southern Illinois partners and fulfilling our mission to advance the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”
Deaconess Illinois EMS also owns and operates ground ambulance bases in Eldorado as well as Gallatin County, and recently expanded their relationship with Air Evac for collaborative air ambulance service in southern Illinois.
