The Mid-Mo Ambulance District seeks to provide as much service as possible to those in Moniteau and Morgan County with the resources available. To serve the public in its more than 900 square miles, the district operates four bases full-time and one on a seasonal basis.
The office and main ambulance base is located in Tipton. The Versailles base, in addition to crew quarters, an office area, and different supply areas, has a four-bay garage, with a fifth bay for washing the ambulances. The bays are large enough to house the larger ambulances now in use. The newest base is near Barnett. The house on the seven acre plot has been remodeled for crew quarters, office and supply rooms. Two ambulance bays are in a building detached from the crew quarters. For the present, there is a two-bay base at California near the Post Office.
The California base is soon due for a big change. Plans are to begin the bidding process soon for a new ambulance base to be constructed on a property near the south city limits of the city. The design of the new base is for a 28 foot by 70 foot building for crew quarters, office supply room and other necessary facilities. It will also have a 40 foot by 54 foot garage with three ambulance bays, large enough for the new larger ambulances. This new California base will replace the old two-bay base. The district provides service to residents and visitors to the two county area with four ambulances and three two-person crews operating full-time. There is one each at the bases in California, Tipton, Versailles and Barnett on a 24/7 basis. On a part-time basis, a fifth ambulance and crew is stationed at Versailles. In addition, a seasonal Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) with one paramedic is stationed at a fifth base in the Ivy Bend area. It is operational from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year.
There are 27 full- and 13 part-time Paramedics and EMTs employed by the district.
The district strives to keep equipment and services as up-to-date as possible. To that end, new ambulances are purchased when needed. The district also has in service five stair-chairs, which are of great assistance in moving patients up and down stairs.
Seeking to serve the county residents even more effectively, the district recently added a Gator which joined the Ranger for use in areas of difficult and tight quarters to meet emergency needs of the public. These vehicles are extremely valuable for emergency response at events, such as the Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival and the Apple Festival. They are also useful at sporting events, especially at the California school with its artificial turf ball fields. In addition, the district recently purchased a used Nitrous Hyperlite "Toy Hauler." This camper-type vehicle opens to allow a gurney inside.
All ambulance reporting is done via computer and the Internet and is HIPPA compliant. This reduces the time required for filing out required forms and reports.
The training of ambulance personnel has kept up with the times. The personnel worked on an on-call basis years ago and were paid based on how many calls they ran while on duty. The present day crews are full-time, working two 24-hour shifts a week for which they are paid hourly for their implementation of their skilled medical knowledge.
The ambulances themselves are much better than years ago, both for what is on-board for patient care and the vehicles themselves. The primary ambulance from each base is equipped with a Zoll Autopulse, more easily understood as an automatic CPR board. The patient is strapped to the board which does the CPR, freeing up the emergency personnel to engage in other activities to save the life of the patient.
Ambulance service in Moniteau and Morgan counties is a far cry what it was in 1977, when voters in the two counties approved the forming of Mid-Mo Ambulance District. The training and skill of the personnel is much greater than ever. The equipment is greatly improved over what was available in 1976, with technological advances now in use.