Good Samaritan Hospital (GSH) donated an ambulance today to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD). KVFD plans to use the ambulance as a rehabilitation unit.
This will give fire fighters access to an air conditioned space that is large enough for them to sit down. GSH is taking the ambulance out of service because of its age, but they say it is still good for use. It has a value of roughly $3,000.
GSH chose to donate the ambulance to KVFD because of the great working relationship between the two.
"It's pretty much because of good faith. We work well with them and we have a good relationship. It seemed very logical to donate and give back to the community," said Tim Hoffman, EMS manager of GSH.
"We have a good working relationship. We go out with them (KVFD) on accidents and give extra help on patient care," said Terry Eirich, fire chief of KVFD.
Now although this was a donation made by GSH to KVFD, officials from GSH say it was time to give back.
"When we assumed EMS services in 1988, they donated equipment and ambulances to us. So, it's very logical that when we had an ambulance to put out of service, we give it to them so they can reutilize it," said Hoffman.
GSH will remain as the sole paramedic level ambulance responder, and will continue to provide services, with KVFD .
Last year, GSH responded to an estimated 3,400 ambulance requests, and transported more than 2,200 residents.
