BUCYRUS — There is a new emergency service provider in town, two months ahead of schedule.
Portsmouth Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. has been servicing the Central Joint Ambulance District since Nov. 1 after the former provider, Life Support Team EMS, left two months before the end of its contract.
“Life Support asked to be released from their contract on Oct. 31 and we agreed,” said Kevin Myers, the city of Bucyrus’ representative in the CJAD. Myers worked as a paramedic for more than 25 years.
The city of Bucyrus is part of the CJAD along with several townships and the Village of New Washington. Township members include Auburn, Bucyrus, Chatfield, Cranberry, Dallas, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Lykens, Sandusky, Vernon and Whetstone townships.
The new company is based in Portsmouth, a city along the Ohio River, and serves many communities throughout Ohio. It is owned by brother and sister, Michael Adkins and Rachel Estep along with her husband, Brian Estep.
“We are the largest emergency services provider in the state,” said station manager and paramedic, Natalie Otto.
Otto began as a paramedic in 2009 with LifeStar Ambulance Service and stayed on when Life Support Team took over after they won the contract bid with the CJAD in 2014. The company did not charge a subsidy for the four-year contract period, but in June, submitted a proposal that included an $11 million subsidy for a new three-year contract.
Myers said Portsmouth Emergency Ambulance Service submitted a $673,800 subsidy for three years of coverage while Life Support Team submitted the $11 million bid for the same time period.
“The district chose Portsmouth Ambulance,” Myers said. “It was an easy decision.”
All entities within the district share the cost for the ambulance service.
Portsmouth Ambulance has set up shop in the station at the corner of Plymouth Street and North Sandusky Avenue that is owned by the city of Bucyrus.
“It needs a lot of repairs and the city has started to do that,” Myers said.
Otto said her staff is focused on providing the best emergency service possible to residents throughout the county.
“We want people to know that we are here for them. We are very community-oriented and will be participating in events in the community such as the upcoming Candlelight Christmas and Santa Parade,” Otto said. “We will be holding an open house during Candlelight Christmas on Dec. 6 and will have candy for the kids and more. We want people to stop by.”
Otto said she is busy training new staff members and acclimating former ones to the new company.
“Things are going well,” Otto said. “We have a great staff in place and are excited to serve the residents of the district.”