Greene County Ambulance Moving North

ROODHOUSE — Emergency medical coverage in northern Greene County is getting a major boost, with a Greene County ambulance set to begin operating out of Roodhouse within the next couple of weeks.

Boyd Healthcare Services, which oversees Greene County Ambulance Service, says two emergency service personnel will staff an advanced life support ambulance from the Roodhouse Fire Protection District firehouse. The move is designed to cut down on long waits for emergency medical care in the northern part of the county.

Officials say about 75% of Greene County Ambulance Service runs come from northern Greene County. Right now, ambulances are based in Carrollton, and reaching the Roodhouse area can take around 20 minutes. By placing an ambulance in Roodhouse, officials expect faster response during medical and traumatic emergencies.

The change is not expected to reduce coverage in southern Greene County. Boyd says an ambulance and two staff members will remain stationed in Carrollton for calls in that area.

The Roodhouse Fire Protection District is allowing the ambulance to operate from its firehouse while a permanent home is being developed. Boyd officials say the original plan was to station an ambulance and EMS team at a new White Hall clinic being built this year, but the partnership with Roodhouse Fire allows the northern Greene County coverage improvement to begin sooner.

The ambulance is expected to eventually move from the Roodhouse firehouse to the White Hall clinic once that facility is ready.