By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Lutheran EMS is breaking its ambulance services contract with the town of Bremen.

Scott Sigerfoos, Lutheran EMS director, informed the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory board of the decision during its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

“The biggest reason…when we went over to Bremen and started supplying service there, Lutheran Health Network had visions of expanding to Nappanee,” said Sigerfoos. “Within the last year and a half, Bremen Hospital used to be unaffiliated but are now affiliated with Beacon out of South Bend.”

Due to this recent affiliation, Lutheran Health Network decided to break its contract with Bremen.

“Every business has had to take a critical look at its operations with COVID-19,” said Sigerfoos. “We decided as a network that it’s best for us to focus on our primary service territories like Kosciusko and Fulton Counties. We’re working hand-in-hand with the town to make sure they have a smooth hand-off to whoever ends up taking over that contract for ambulance services there.”

During the meeting, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Chief Mike Wilson provided a monthly fire activity report for the month of August. The WWFT had 242 responses, with seven fire calls.

For medical calls, Station 1 responded to 80; Station 2 responded to 67; and Station 3 responded to 18 calls for service. Station 1 also responded to three motor vehicle accidents, with Station 2 reporting to seven.

“With 242 runs, that’s just under eight calls a day,” said Brandon Schmitt, WWFT board member.

The board’s next meeting is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3.