County staff present two ambulance proposals; staff leans toward Marion Health for 911 coverage

Blackford County officials reviewed two proposals Sept. 17 to provide ambulance services after the county's current agreement approaches expiration. County staff summarized an IU Health Lifeline option and an alternative offered by Marion Health, discussed funding and facility needs, and recommended further negotiation. No formal decision or contract award was made.

County staff presented key differences between the proposals. The IU Health Lifeline option as described would leave the county with one regularly based ambulance in Hartford City and a second ambulance that Marion Health staff described would be used for longer hospital transfers when available; staff said the IU option included an annual subsidy in the county’s current range (roughly $500,000) but could include a 4% annual increase and would allow the provider discretion to use the secondary unit for non‑local transfers.

In contrast, the Marion Health proposal described a model that prioritizes 9‑1‑1 emergency coverage inside Blackford County. Under the Marion scenario staff outlined, the county would host a full‑time advanced life support (ALS) ambulance in Blackford County and Marion Health would base a second ambulance at Marion East that could be routed into Blackford…