FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Fort Wayne City Council and Mayor Sharon Tucker are reacting after the Allen County Board of Commissioners decided to withdraw from the city-county agreement governing emergency services, effectively removing the county from the collaborative operations with the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA). Right now, TRAA will continue to serve Fort Wayne. However, it will no longer respond to calls outside the city limits.
The commissioners did say that emergency response services in unincorporated areas of Allen County will not be affected. In a statement, commissioners said that discussions have taken place with each Fire District to ensure there will be no disruptions in service.
Mayor Sharon Tucker issued a statement praising the commissioners for their transparency and expressing understanding. Tucker says the City of Fort Wayne is committed to developing a “sustainable model for emergency services, both in the short and long term.”
The following was issued on Friday:
Today’s announcement by the Allen County Board of Commissioners to withdraw from the city-county interlocal agreement that oversees emergency medical services now provides my administration and our community more clarity as we move forward. The Commissioners have been open and transparent with me, and I understand their decision.
In the meantime, nothing will change as residents can take comfort in knowing that the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA) and the Fort Wayne Fire Department will continue to respond to emergencies inside City of Fort Wayne limits in a timely and professional manner and have a strong commitment to saving lives.
For years, Fort Wayne and County officials have been working on long-term funding for ambulance services, including Allen County’s financial contribution to the system. Over the summer, some commissioners recommended ending the interlocal agreement but did not take any further actions. This most recent move to pull out of the agreement has been met with strong words from some on Fort Wayne City Council.
Fort Wayne City Councilmen Russ Jehl, R-2nd, and Scott Meyers, R-4th, released a statement on Friday criticizing the decision:
Public safety is the most sacred responsibility entrusted to elected officials. It is unfortunate that the Allen County Commissioners are canceling their shared commitment to TRAA which residents of Fort Wayne have depended on for years. Beyond that, it is unnecessary for the Commissioners to dissolve the interlocal agreement between Fort Wayne and Allen County that governs TRAA with only 30 days’ notice. This puts all residents at risk when they depend on a rapid response to a 911 call.
It took the Allen County Commissioners years to create and launch the County Fire Districts.
With TRAA being half managed by the County, TRAA hasn’t even legally been allowed to prepare for this abrupt dissolution and its many facets of change spanning from dispatch to coverage areas. We urge the Commissioners to provide a notice of 6-months to ensure the smoothest transition, as much can go wrong with something this abrupt. In addition, a longer transition period should produce mutual aid and mutual training agreements ensuring resident safety.
We continue to vigilantly offer our support to the Mayor of Fort Wayne and TRAA as they work to ensure the continued delivery of reliable EMS services to all Fort Wayne citizens.
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