New Mid-Mo Ambulance base almost ready for use

This photo published Feb. 15, 2017, shows the California base of Mid-Mo Ambulance District, located on Hartley Street, at the edge of the southern California city limits along Highway 87, prior to the new facility's opening.
This photo published Feb. 15, 2017, shows the California base of Mid-Mo Ambulance District, located on Hartley Street, at the edge of the southern California city limits along Highway 87, prior to the new facility's opening.

TIPTON, Mo. - The new California Mid-Mo Ambulance base, which is almost ready for use by the ambulances and crews, was discussed by the Board of Directors at its regular monthly session on Feb. 8.

According to Administrator Lee Kempf, there are only a few things yet to be done. One of those is a hand railing around the entrance ramp and walk to the front door.

Before giving final approval, Kempf plans to accompany each board member to look over the new facility. Plans still are to move California ambulance operations into the new facility in February.

A report by Marshall Decker, of Decker and DeGood, Springfield, on the annual audit was first up on the evening's agenda. Decker reported that the 2015-16 fiscal year audit was of "another good year" with nothing negative to report or issues to be addressed.

A new training room is being constructed in the garage area of the Tipton base, through a redesign of the central supply and storage rooms in the back of the garage. The new room, when completed, will be used for the upcoming EMT class in addition to internal training.

After reviewing bids for a proposed heating and cooling system (HVAC) for the new training room, the board approved the recommendation of Kempf for a bid from Millsap Mechanical Services, Tipton, for an 18 Seer Mitsubishi system, for $9,290, which would permit the training room HVAC to be shut off when not in use.

Kemp mentioned a recent flurry of deer-ambulance incidents. There have been seven deer struck by six ambulances. He said this much higher than has happened previously. Three of the deer were reportedly struck inside the city limits of Osage Beach.