Clarkston paramedic says new ambulance service is going great

Clarkston’s new ambulances sit at the ready.

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Story Published: Feb 6, 2010 at 8:33 PM PST

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2010 at 9:18 PM PST

By Stephanie Smith

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CLARKSTON - It's been a month since Clarkston took over running their own ambulance service and so far it’s getting good reviews from emergency medical crews.

"It's really been going great," said Clarkston Paramedic Pat Emerich. "We've had about 117 calls so far and with four people on duty during the day, we've had plenty of staff to man the vehicles so it's really gone great up to this point."

Emerich said it's been an easy transition, because they were already treating patients with Rescue One.

"There is a little bit of use with the gurneys and the vehicles and really it's been a smooth transition."

Lewiston medics still respond if the patient meets certain trauma standards, because they are the only ambulance service that is trauma-verified to transport in the Valley. It's a verification that the Clarkston fire department has asked for in the past and hopes to eventually receive.

The department has three ambulances. Emerich said they have yet to have all three called out at once but have had two out on calls at the same time seven times in the last month.

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