Tama Ambulance Service Paramedic and Administrator Don Weitzell is shown with one of two units the transport service operates in this News-Herald file photo. Weitzell has to scramble to fill 45 duty slots from 22 available volunteers each week to keep the service running. Persons wishing to volunteer can make application at the Office of the Tama City Clerk at the Tama Civic Center or gain more information by contacting any of the ambulance crew members. News-Herald/John Speer

“We’re in a bad situation here,” veteran Tama Ambulance Service member Mike Haughey told City Council members during the regular council meeting Monday night.

He laid out the circumstance of which only 22 active volunteers are filling what totals 45 duty slots on the service’s weekly schedule- every week and every month. Haughey said he initially was acting on his own to bring the personnel shortage to the council’s attention.

But he was solidly backed up in his urgent call for new members Monday night with Ambulance Service Director Duane Backen, Assistant Director Larry Thomas, paramedic and administrator Don Weitzell and former service director Steve Burr all laying out the need for people in the community to step forward.

“The legal requirement for transporting service of maintaining a single two or three person crew on the schedule for one mobile unit 24 hours a day, every single day, has always been and currently without the dedication of a few key members, is becoming almost impossible to fill,” Haughey said. He is also a former Tama Ambulance Service Director.

Haughey warned the loss of two to three of the current membership could spell the end of the ambulance service as now provided in Tama. Of the current ambulance service volunteers, one is over age 70, six are over age 60, six over age 50, five over age 40, six over age 30 and one over age 20. Three of those members are inactive at present.

Burr told the council of these number, nearly one-third are from Toledo. He also noted Tama County is one of seven counties in Iowa without a hospital with this making transport service even more important.

Thomas said the physical aspect of the service obviously becomes increasing difficult for the older members. He also said the passing of two longtime dedicated members, Roger Benda and Tracy Brady, is additionally felt.

Ambulance crew members praised the cooperation they receive from the Tama Council and Mayor in obtaining needed equipment and providing service during the report.

In 2015, the Tama Ambulance Service responded to 694 calls including 411 within the city, 92 to rural areas, 88 to the Meskwaki Settlement, 103 to the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel and nine mutual aid calls for ambulance service, Haughey said.

The service primarily covers rural areas from U.S. Highway 30 from Chelsea to LeGrand with service as far south westward as Gilman, as well as the City of Tama, Meskwaki Settlement south of U.S. 30 and the casino hotel complex.

Backen the service director, invited applicants pointing out training as EMTs is paid and most ongoing training requirements are provided locally with Weitzell as the certified instructor. He said the service would welcome bilingual speakers which would be a great aid on calls where there is a language barrier.

As a bit of an incentive, Tama ambulance crew members are compensated two dollars hourly for being on call on weekdays and three dollars hourly for weekend duty. They are also paid 415 – $25 per call depending upon the transport destination.

Backen said any current ambulance service member can be contacted for further information and an application.

The service billed $333,500 in 2015 and showed expenses of $263,000. It was noted there were no major equipment purchases made during that period.

Part-Time Paramedic

Weitzell, administrator and paramedic, was given council go-ahead to develop a proposal to hire a part-time paramedic whom would also handle some administrative duties. Weitzell said he envisioned the position as a “fill-in” person for himself and not as a regularly scheduled job.