FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – A funding dispute between Allen County commissioners and the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA) could soon end some specialized emergency dispatch services for those outside Fort Wayne city limits.
During such calls, trained dispatchers from TRAA stay on the line with 911 callers. They give what could be life-saving instructions, such as CPR, bleeding control techniques, and breathing assistance. The dispatchers also update paramedics while they are getting to the scene of an emergency.
TRAA is asking for payment from the county for the dispatch service. Commissioners say that it has never paid for the service in the past and that they are looking at legal options.
Read more local reporting HERE
Mayor Sharon Tucker released a statement of support for TRAA.
(statements below)
Councilmembers Michelle Chambers, Scott Myers, Russ Jehl, Rohli Booker, and Council President Geoff Paddock were also vocal in supporting TRAA.
Statement from Mayor Sharon Tucker in support of Three Rivers Ambulance Authority:
Public safety and emergency medical services are a top priority in the City of Fort Wayne.
I want to take this opportunity to respond to the news conference conducted earlier today by the Allen County Board of Commissioners.
The Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA) and the Consolidated Communications Partnership (CCP) do not have an interlocal agreement regarding emergency medical dispatch services.
The City of Fort Wayne does have an interlocal agreement with TRAA for emergency medical dispatch services that’s working very well to protect the public and meet the needs of residents in the event of an emergency. The residents of Fort Wayne can take comfort in knowing that these services will continue.
Allen County’s Board of Commissioners last December withdrew from the Fort Wayne-Allen County interlocal agreement that oversees emergency medical services. It is not the responsibility of the CCP or Fort Wayne to provide or subsidize emergency medical dispatch services to residents outside of Fort Wayne.
This situation brought up today by the Board of Commissioners is not an issue that’s the responsibility of the City of Fort Wayne.
Joint Statement from Fort Wayne City Council Members in Support of Emergency Services and TRAA:
Councilmembers Michelle Chambers, Scott Myers, Russ Jehl, Rohli Booker and Council President Geoff Paddock have released the following joint statement in response to the Allen County Commissioners’ recent public criticism of the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA):
“We stand united in support of the leadership of City of Fort Wayne, TRAA management and staff, and the critical emergency medical services that protect all residents every day.TRAA has served the community for decades with professionalism and integrity, continuing to provide dispatch services for unincorporated areas of Allen County after the County’s withdrawal from the interlocal agreement. That service has continued without compensation since the County withdrew support of TRAA, based on good faith efforts and a clear understanding that a new agreement would be reached.
TRAA gave appropriate 90-day notice of service termination, giving the County has had ample time to secure a contract with TRAA for these necessary services. Let’s be clear: TRAA cannot legally or financially be expected to provide free services indefinitely. Under Indiana law, County Fire Districts and Commissioners are responsible for ensuring Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) services are provided. This is a lifesaving, non-discretionary public function and is disingenuous to be a point of negotiation.
The City of Fort Wayne and TRAA have done its parts to avoid disruption in service. It is now incumbent upon the Allen County Commissioners to act in good faith, finalize a service agreement, and meet their obligation to the public.
Public safety must come before politics.”
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