WARSAW — Its role is based on the need in a growing community and providing an option to medical transportation possibilities.

“We have no expectations,” said Jeremy Mast, customer service representative with Tri-County Ambulance Service about their service to the Warsaw area. “We are excited to be a part of a great community.” The company is in the process of hiring staff who want to be a part of the privately owned company.

Tri-County Ambulance Service Inc., did not come to Warsaw to push out or take over Lutheran EMS Kosciusko, it came due to research showing there is a void in medical transportation. “We’re here to help fill the void, to help with the medical transportation needs,” said Mast.

The private ambulance service came to Warsaw the first part of August and was temporarily housed near Marsh Super Market on Buffalo Street. It will be moving Sept. 1 to a permanent base at the SR 15/US 30 corridor, behind Smith Tire. “This will allow room for expansion and growth as the need arises,” said Mast.

Tyler Huffer

Tyler Huffer is the manager of the Warsaw base.

So what will Tri-County offer? While they are not the 9/11 service provider, individuals can contact the ambulance service for ER transports, specialty, advanced or basic transports. Tri-County ambulances are staffed with qualified personnel/paramedics available based on the need of the service requested.

The specialty transports handle the transportation of seriously or critically ill patients from one facility to another, generally for a higher level of care. These patients may have one or more IV pumps running with IV fluids or medications. They may be on a ventilator or cardiac support equipment, be intubated or on other ventilator equipment.

The advanced life support transports involve standard care including the initiation or maintenance of IVs, cardiac monitoring, medication administration and ventilator support as necessary.

The basic life support involves the transport of stable patients. These may be discharges from a hospital to a nursing home, rehab facility or residence. The service may also be used for the transportation of a patient from a nursing home to follow up care or for procedures, if the patient requires ambulance transportation.

In each instance, the ambulance is staffed with the appropriate personnel, ranging from paramedics to basic EMTs.

“We are where the need is. Ninety percent of our transports start in the tri-county area,” said Mast.

The company has a 24/7 dispatch service, which not only dispatches the ambulances, but also answers questions regarding its service and billing. All individuals need to do is call (888) 606-5050.

Mast explained if an individual needed an ambulance for whatever reason, by calling the toll free number, the dispatcher will give the caller an estimated arrival time of the ambulance. It will then be up to the caller to determine if Tri-County should respond or 9/11 be called.

“We are a patient advocate company,” said Mast stating the company does what needs to be done appropriately for the patient.

Mast stated with the coming of Parkview Hospital to Warsaw, the need is there and they plan on staying. “We don’t know what our roll will be in the future,” stated Mast.

Tri-County works with all insurances including Medicare and Medicaid.

Tri-County Ambulance Service was started in 1999 with one ambulance and two employees. It has grown to 18 ambulances and 110 employees. The original primary service area encompasses the counties of Elkhart, St. Joseph and Marshall counties. Tri-County is projecting to do over 20,000 calls in 2015 in its service area.

The Warsaw base is staffed 24 hours, seven days a week.