UPDATE: PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP —  Following a statement from Julia Goon, Prairie Township trustee, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, Lutheran EMS has announced an agreement has been reached between Prairie Township and the EMS service provider.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement earlier today (Wednesday, Dec. 31) with Prairie Township for EMS services,” noted Scott Sigerfoos, Lutheran EMS Director. “Lutheran EMS agencies and hospitals work together to coordinate across the region and provide patients with needed emergency care, resulting in faster response times and better health outcomes. We look forward to continuing to serve the emergency needs of Kosciusko County.”

The details of the agreement are pending and further information on the proposed contract will be provided when it is signed and available.

PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP — If there was one thing Julia Goon, Prairie Township trustee of 35-years, wants to stress most to her residents, it is that they can call 911 at anytime and still receive ambulance service.

According to Goon, a recent email sent out from a member of her township who also also works for Lutheran EMS claimed the township would soon not allow Lutheran to assist those within its boundaries after Goon’s refusal to sign a 3-year contract with Lutheran EMS. Goon claims nothing could be further from the truth.

On Sept. 3, Prairie Township Trustee and board members met to discuss a potential contract from Lutheran EMS and Tri-County EMS to service the township.

According to Goon a proposal was given by Lutheran EMS, formerly known as Multi-Township EMS, for a three-year contract with a 25 percent reduction in tax subsidy from previous years — bringing the contracted annual amount to $10,500. Lutheran also proposed in their contract they will be the sole contracted ambulance provider for Prairie Township.

Though the EMS organization has serviced the township for many years, Goon raised concerns with the contract in relation to the organization’s recent sale and purchase by Lutheran Health Network, the for-profit parent company of Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw.

Goon noted in September the township would not be “pushed into a contract” by Lutheran EMS in order to receive the 25 percent reduction, noting her concerns over what she claims was a very secretive and quiet sale of the company.

Today, Goon noted contract negotiations are ongoing between the township and Lutheran EMS with a hopeful agreement possibly on the horizon.

Click here for a letter written by Goon explaining the Township’s apprehension to accept the initial contract, as well as a brief history of Multi-Township EMS/Lutheran EMS.