PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – The Peoria Fire Department and Advanced Medical Transport of Central Illinois are extending their partnership to provide ambulance service in Peoria for the rest of this decade despite a sometimes strained relationship over the years.
The City Council unanimously approved a deal Tuesday night that extends the franchise agreement for another five years. The current 20-year agreement expires in December, 2026.
Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollenberger and AMT CEO Andrew Rand were at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting to explain the agreement that was the result of about two years of negotiations.
“I think this is a strong agreement that includes more efficiency. It includes more quality, more training, more tools, and overall, more value,” Mayor Rita Ali said.
According to the agreement, AMT’s response time for Advanced or Basic Life Support is expected to be 12 minutes and 59 seconds for Priority 1 responses, and 15 minutes and 59 seconds for Priority 2 responses at least 80-percent of the time.
According to 25 News, AMT also agrees to pay Peoria $150,000 annually for dispatch and call processing services, contribute $100,000 annually for three years for upgraded cardiac monitor technology, and up to $50,000 per year to replace disposable medical supplies.
Council members praised the fire department and AMT Tuesday night for patching up their differences and reaching an agreement.
“This is like the two cousins that met at the family reunion and didn’t like each other in the past. That’s what it used to be like. I was a dispatcher, so I remember those days,” at-large council member Bernice Gordon-Young said.
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