Ambassadors learned about the new City EMS service and toured the Fire side of the Public Safety Building today. Grinnell Fire Department Chief Dan Sicard and Assistant Chief/EMS Administrator Patrick Duffey shared more about the process of getting a service set up and how the department is currently operating.
Originally scheduled to transition in February of 2025, the city took over EMS services fully at the end of 2023. They were able to purchase two used Ambulances and have two new ones on order which are scheduled to arrive later this summer. They’ve hired 6 new full time firefighters who are cross trained as either paramedics or EMTs. This now allows for a paramedic to be on call 24/7 and expand the services and treatments they’re able to provide before and en route to the hospital. Currently the department is on track to take 1400-1500 EMS & Fire calls this year, which is a 200% increase over previous years.
The Fire Department has 3 firefighters on shift at all times, 6 part time firefighters and 23 volunteers. This combination staffing allows our department to respond to calls within 150 square miles of Grinnell with roughly 80% of calls being within the city limits. A medical call typically requires a minimum of 3 people for medical and preferably 5 for a cardiac response, a single family home requires a minimum of 14 people and a commercial or apartment complex call requires closer to 20 people. Volunteers are critical to providing adequate coverage to our community and there is a need for additional volunteers. If you’re interested, reach out to Chief Sicard to learn more.
This Saturday is the Firefighters Dance at the Grinnell Eagles. Starting at 7 PM, a free will donation gets you in the door to hear Black Jack & South 35. Length of Service Awards will be presented at intermission. Donations will be used to purchase new hoses and equipment for the department.
Pictured L-R: Marissa Pronschinske – Grinnell Chamber, Rachel Arseneault – Ramsey-Weeks, Jennifer McAlexander – JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Dorothy Spriggs – Carriage House Bed & Breakfast, Patrick Duffey – Grinnell Fire & Rescue, Whitney Bair Crawford, Agent with New York Life, Monica St. Angelo – Grinnell Area Arts Council, Vince Lukehart – Grinnell Fire & Rescue, Cynthia Albert – OnMedia, Christian Williams – Grinnell Fire & Rescue, Eric Pagan – Grinnell Fire & Rescue, Chief Dan Sicard – Grinnell Fire & Rescue, Zared Sittig – Grinnell Fire & Rescue, Hannah Vos – UnityPoint at Home, Ashley Symbol – First State Bank, Brooke Holder – Poweshiek County Public Health, Stephanie Lair – UnityPoint Health – Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Charlie Isaacs – Theisen’s, Lisa Cirks – Cirks Financial Services, Matt Moyer – Bayer Crop Science, Rachael Kinnick – Grinnell Chamber
