With the launch of the city’s own ambulance service still at least a month away, City Council acted Tuesday to make sure there’s no lapse in emergency protection overnight for the next six days. Council voted 7-0 on an emergency basis to contract with Wintersville Fire Department to provide the personnel needed to designate one of their ambulances to answer calls in Steubenville daily between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. at least through Monday.
The contingency plan is needed because Steubenville’s current provider, Ambulance Service Inc., notified City Manager Jim Mavromatis that, because of temporary staffing issues, they won’t be able to cover the night shift for the next six days.
“We need the manpower,” 5th Ward Councilman Willie Paul, chair of council’s finance committee, said. “I’m not alarmed, but it is reassuring to know we’ll have some kind of coverage.”