Private ambulance companies would be able to set up shop in Springfield's residential areas, under a proposal up for debate next year.
Sponsored by Ward 7 Ald. Debbie Cimarossa, the idea stems from a request by Medics First, one of three private ambulance companies in the capital city.
Mike Dozier, co-owner of Medics First, said he contacted Cimarossa when eyeing property in the area of MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue, which is in her ward. Currently, ambulance services are allowed only in certain business and industrial areas.
Dozier said he was hoping the property would serve as a substation, similar to the set-up of fire stations, where employees could rest between calls instead of sitting in a running ambulance during 12-hour shifts.
He said it would allow his company to be more more cost-effective and provide better patient care.
Properties zoned for ambulance services are hard to find, expensive and not in locations that would improve response time, Dozier said.
"If I can find a place that's residential, I can house, park an ambulance in a garage, keep a crew in there that's near a main thoroughfare," he said. "I'm not talking about putting a large structure in a subdivision.'"
He said having to drive through a subdivision to get to a main street would defeat the purpose.
Aldermen recently voted 6-3 to send the proposal to the city's planning and zoning commission for a public hearing. Voting "no" were Ward 1 Ald. Frank Edwards, Ward 10 Ald. Tim Griffin and Ward 6 Ald. Mark Mahoney.
Mahoney said if an ambulance company wants to locate in a residential area, it can request a variance from the city. But changing zoning requirements would eliminate the council's ability to review - and accept or reject - each variance.
When the proposal first came up this month, Ward 2 Ald. Gail Simpson said she was worried that ambulance companies would all locate on the east side of the city.
"I feel that east Springfield is going to get hit again," Simpson said. "I don't see any ambulance company going out west."
Dozier said that, in fact, the need for better response times is out west.
"You may have to wait 10 to 15 minutes over there to get an ambulance," he said.
Edwards said he saw no need for the change.
"I understand the concept behind it, but we have a lot of commercial property all over this town," he said. "And really, that's where they ought to be."
Cimarossa said she eventually would like the fire department to not have to respond to medical calls. Given the possibility of layoffs and further budget cuts, she said, such a proposal is at least worth discussing.
The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to hold a public hearing in January.
