November 20, 2009

Illini Ambulance Strengthens Service In East Moline

EAST MOLINE, Ill. - The Illini Ambulance Service, which has served East Moline for 35 years, will be strengthening its services in the community.

The hospital-based ambulance service will be moving an ambulance into the city of East Moline -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- at 730 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline.  The facility will be centrally located in the city and is across the street from one of three fire stations in East Moline.  In addition, the Illini Ambulance Service is also stationed at Port Byron, Colona Fire Department, Coal Valley Fire Department and at Illini Hospital in Silvis.

"The Illini Ambulance Service has already been providing high-quality service with highly-skilled personnel and response times that are quicker than national standards. By moving an ambulance into East Moline, we will be able to provide the same high standard of care, but with even faster response times," said Ken Croken, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Genesis Health System. "By further distributing our staff and equipment, we expect to improve service not only to the people of East Moline, but throughout the entire ambulance district.''

Average ambulance response time nationally for urban areas is 8 minutes, 59 seconds. The average response time for Illini Ambulance Service in urban areas, including East Moline, is 6 minutes, 29 seconds.

There will be four response-ready ambulance rigs stationed at the Avenue of the Cities location and one of the four rigs will be primarily dedicated to serving East Moline. There will also be office and training space available.

"We see this location as a potential hub for us,'' explained Mark Guthrie, Supervisor of Illini Ambulance Service. "We have been running out of space, so this move will open more room and will allow us to house rigs inside, out of the elements.

"By centralizing our operations more, this move is only going to enhance our ability to serve our communities. We're looking forward to having more space while still providing close access to our hospital base on the Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus."

Illini Ambulance Service expects to begin operating from the new location before the first of the year.

The Illini Ambulance Service serves the communities of East Moline, Hillsdale, Colona, Cordova, Hampton, Carbon Cliff, Barstow, Rapid City, Port Byron, Silvis and Coal Valley. The service also provides assistance to various other services throughout the area when needed. The service has eight ambulances and a staff of 64.

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