MENDOTA – Multiple ambulance calls stretched resources thin in Mendota Friday night. Earlville Ambulance was tending to the needs of an individual before 8 PM who eventually was flown via helicopter to Rockford when a second call came in. Mendota was called for mutual aid to Earlville for that individual, however two more separate calls for an ambulance were received by dispatch in Mendota in that same short window. Mendota Fire Chief Dennis Rutishauser noted that they always had one extra ambulance available in the city, but not always enough to staff it. He warned they were dangerously close to leaving a person in need with a significant wait.
“Our engine is also equipped as a ALS non-transport unit and has everything that is needed to run a serious call if needed” Rutishauser said. “We are fortunate to have 3 ALS ambulances, and 2 ALS non transport units available to respond. “
