A change in ambulance service is coming to Hastings, as Mercy Ambulance is on its’ way out and Life EMS will take over the Hastings service area around September 15th. In addition to the city, the service area includes Baltimore Township, Carlton Township, Hastings Charter Township, and Hope Township.
During the Hastings City Council meeting Monday night, Council approved the mayor to authorize a Memorandum of Understanding allowing the transition from Mercy Ambulance to Life EMS under the terms of the current agreement that expires at the end of the 2026.
Life EMS anticipates that most of the current Mercy EMT’s and staff will stay, and are already transitioning to the new company. Residents will not experience a lapse in service. Life EMS plans to maintain 24-hour staffed ambulances, operating from the same location on South Michigan Avenue that Mercy Ambulance has used for several decades.
The Hastings Hastings/BIRCH Fire Department recently purchased an EMS rescue vehicle as part of the Departments’ medical license upgrade to an EMS transporting agency, and is able to supplement the current EMS system of Barry County.
In other business:
The City Council approved a water tower easement agreement, replacement of a DPS dump truck, a contract for remodeling the bathroom at the Hastings Fire Department, and contracts for lead water line replacements and for chip sealing of various streets.
Hastings is planning to eliminate the Director of Public Works staff position, which has been vacant for several months, and instead create a new Assistant City Manager position that will be a hybrid of public works and administrative responsibilities.
