OTSEGO TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — An Allegan County community has ended a contract with its fire department to provide medical response.
The Otsego Fire Department was tasked with responding to reported medical incidents in addition to pre-existing services contracted with the township government.
On Monday, March 2nd the Otsego Township board decided in a 6-1 vote to end the fire department’s medical response services as of July 1st.
Township Supervisor Bryan Winn told WWMT that the move would save over $50,000. He says some of that money could go to the personnel costs related to a water project.
Winn placed the number of medical calls in 2019 at 450, with responding firefighters costing $19 an hour which adds up with entire crews arriving at the scene.
Otsego Fire Department has served as medical responders in the township for more than a decade. The township also contracts with Plainwell EMS to supply emergency medical response to residents.
