Springfield ambulance service in limbo, faces possibility of leaving city

Springfield, Ill. (WAND) - Springfield’s emergency medical services system could soon see a major change, as LifeStar Ambulance Service faces the possibility of leaving the city.

According to LifeStar CEO John Wright, he was first notified of concerns last year.

“We received a letter back in August of last year,” Wright said. “There were some issues with ... documentation and some expired medications.”

Wright said the situation escalated in early December when the company received another letter indicating Memorial’s intent to remove LifeStar from its system.

In a statement provided by Springfield Memorial Hospital, a spokesperson explained:

"Springfield Memorial Hospital, as the designated Resource Hospital for the region, has a statutory responsibility for the coordination and oversight of the emergency medical services system in accordance with applicable state law and regulatory requirements...
This matter has proceeded through that established process. Consistent with longstanding policy, Springfield Memorial Hospital does not comment on matters involving individual EMS providers."

At this point, Wright said LifeStar has two options: gain approval to operate through St. John’s Hospital or cease operations in Springfield by May 25. Wright doesn't feel confident about working with St. John's.

“We’re working with our legal team,” Wright said. “I’ve reached out to Memorial, trying to get something figured out. We’ve got some options.”

Springfield Fire Chief Nick Zummo says the potential departure could impact how ambulance coverage is structured across the city.

Under current city requirements, each of Springfield’s three ambulance providers must have three ambulances in service during peak hours — a total of nine units. If LifeStar exits, that number would shift, requiring the remaining two providers to increase their coverage.

“If one of those drops out of the system, which we’re anticipating, it then drops to four (per company) during non-peak hours and five during peak hours,” Zummo said. “It would be actually a total of 10 ambulances between the two remaining units."

Zummo said current ambulance response times in Springfield average between 10 and 12 minutes. While the change could present challenges, he believes the remaining providers are prepared.

“I’ve met with both of the remaining companies, and I’m cautiously optimistic after talking to them that they can handle it,” he said. “They’ve assured me they have the staffing and equipment to do so.”

As the May deadline approaches, LifeStar continues to explore its options, while city officials prepare for a potential transition in EMS services.