October 14, 2020
Expanding emergency services
Around Town FZSD recognized as one of state’s best employers. Pg. 3 O’Fallon Police Chief announces resignation, interim chief named. Pg. 4
Healthy Living BJC Outpatient Center in Wentzville now open. Pg.5
School
SCC student making a difference in the community. Pg.7
Flip for Features
Photo courtesy St. Charles County Ambulance District The St. Charles County Ambulance District has opened two new stations in Wentzville and St. Peters has also announced details for even more improvements coming its way.
St. Charles County Ambulance District opens two new EMS stations to better serve the growing population of St. Charles County By Brett Auten As the county grows and expands, so does its need for emergency services of all varieties. In 2019, St. Charles County Ambulance District responded to nearly 45,000 calls for service. That figure is a growth of over 50 percent in the last decade. Kelly Cope is the Assistant Chief of Operations who has been at the district for 25 years, 20 of which spent as a road paramedic. “We have gone from a small, rural district to much more of a suburb of St. Louis,” Cope
said. “We have to be ready for what that growth provides.” According to Cope, rapid residential and commercial development, coupled with an aging population, have been the driving factors behind the upward trajectory in call volume. Last month, the district opened new EMS stations in St. Peters and Wentzville to better reach these swelling communities. The stations are located on East Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville and Old Mill Parkway in St. Peters. They are positioned in two of the SCCAD’s busiest response zones. The new facilities are larger than the ones they
are replacing, allowing for the ability to increase paramedic staffing at these locations as needed. The stations are the first infrastructure projects in SCAAD’s 10-year capital improvement plan, which residents of St. Charles County put into motion in 2018 by the passing of Prop. Ambulance, a bond issue. In 2021, the district will take the next steps outlined in the 10-year plan that includes a reconfiguration of assets along Rt. 364 in St. See ‘EMERGENCY’ page 2
Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol.22 No.42 | 636-379-1775
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