By JOY LOHSE
Director of Marketing & Public Relations Lutheran Health Network KCH

The Multi-Township EMS board of directors voted Monday evening, June 22, to approve an agreement for Kosciusko Community Hospital, a member of Lutheran Health Network, to acquire Multi-Township EMS services.

When transaction is complete later this year, EMS services will continue under the leadership of Scott Sigerfoos, EMS chief. Members of the Multi-Township EMS staff will be rehired in their same positions to provide service to approximately 100,000 residents in Kosciusko County and surrounding areas.

MTEMS Board President Gary Sponseller said, “This is a win win for MTEMS and the community as this affiliation supports an already established quality local EMS. Additionally, an Endowment Fund totaling approximately $1 million will be set up and utilized at the discretion of the MTEMS Board of Directors to support ongoing community program needs.”

“This merger was thoughtfully considered by the Multi-Township EMS board and staff. Affiliation with KCH will allow EMS services to continue to flourish while providing quality emergency medical response services to the area,” said Sigerfoos.

Patient choice in where to seek emergency care will remain in place. Because time is important in an emergency, critical patients are taken to the closest appropriate Emergency Department while honoring patient preference.

“For over 30 years, Kosciusko Community Hospital has worked in tandem with Multi-Township EMS on developing pre-hospital life-saving protocols. As affiliate organizations we can create an even better coordination of care,” said KCH Chief Executive Officer Kirk Ray.

Multi-Township EMS has provided timely, quality service to Kosciusko County since 1977. Educational programs for area EMS services, Fire Departments, Police Department, CPR classes, as well as other outreach programs for the public will continue including the One Heart program.