MERCER COUNTY, Ill. — Genesis Ambulance Services is dialing back back-up coverage services in Mercer County in mid-December, according to a news release from Genesis Health System.
Due to an ongoing shortage of EMTs and paramedics, the ambulance service, which provides for many fire protection districts across Mercer County, is reducing its backup ambulance service in the area starting Dec. 15.
"Following the COVID-19 pandemic, local, regional and national staffing has reached crisis level for emergency medical services. According to Genesis Health System’s Director of Ambulance Services Adam Haut, staffing the Genesis Ambulance Services, but most especially units based in Mercer County, has become extremely difficult," Genesis explained in the release.
Back-up ambulance coverage is the service that responds to calls when the primary ambulance is busy with another incident.
After Dec. 15, when primary coverage is busy and no back-up staff is available, the role will be filled by another ambulance from the closest mutual aid partner.
“Genesis Ambulance will continue to provide excellent ambulance service and remains dedicated to the residents of Mercer County,” Director of Ambulance Services Adam Haut said. “Not much will change. The only difference is that if response to an additional 911 call is needed in the County, it will most likely be from a different ambulance service via mutual aid.”
“Despite robust recruiting efforts at Genesis, we still do not have the staffing to cover both primary and back-up coverage 24/7 for Mercer County," Haut added. "This staffing crisis is affecting ambulance services across the nation.”
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