Permanent Home for New Chickasaw County Ambulance Service Still Under Review

Finding a permanent home for the new Chickasaw County EMS department remains up in the air.

Possible locations were discussed for an hour at Monday’s Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors meeting, including the Community Services Building near downtown New Hampton and the Heritage Property south of town.

Chickasaw County EMS Director Joel Knutson told the board that computer models indicate the ambulances and crews should be stationed based on call volumes. 

Knutson said he’s concerned some workers may not stay with the service if EMS is placed at the Heritage Property due to the distance to get there. It would also add to response time.

Board Chair Matt Kuhn also contemplated the long term viability of the Heritage in keeping people on staff.

Supervisors also discussed the possibility of a joint home for the ambulances, Chickasaw County Rescue Squad, and possibly Public Health and Environmental Health. The outcome of a feasibility study on a possible joint law center housing the Sheriff’s Office, New Hampton Police and a new county jail could also impact location selection.

Currently, the County’’s two ambulances are housed in the garages of the former fire station next to the New Hampton Police Department.