Ambulance numbers lower in ‘21
Number of runs lower, but some traveled far distances
BY JAMES C. FALCON
editors@bhgnews.com
Garrison-Max Ambulance reported a lower number of ambulance runs in 2021 when compared to 2020. At their monthly meeting on Jan. 5, ambulance co-manager Amanda Melby
noted that in 2021, there were 569 ambulance runs. In 2020, there were 589. While the number of run count was down by 20, the distance traveled at times made up for the apparent lack of frequency. Late last year, with hospitals throughout the state filling up with COVID-19 patients, ambulances such as Garrison-Max Ambulance were called to make transfers requiring them to travel farther distances. Melby said that requests to take patients to hospitals in Fargo, or even further away to Billings, Montana or South Dakota.
While those latter trips were not common, they did happen occasionally. The 455 mile drive to Billings from Garrison and back would not only put about 910 miles on their rig, but also keep the ambulance out of commission for about 14 hours. This meant that the ambulance service would be down one ambulance, as well as take a hit on its existing available
manpower. However, in the past few months, Melby said that the ambulance service has not received such requests. “Every once in a while, we’re still going further places,” she said. “We’ve been going to Fargo, but that’s the furthest we’ve been (since).” So far in 2022, the Garrison-Max Ambulance has stayed local for the most part, except for the occasional run to Fargo.
