The Des Moines County EMS Association has long prided itself on being the leaders in the EMS community, providing essential medical care for the public. The association works to expand relationships in the community by conducting regular meetings and sharing ideas, training and equipment. The Des Moines County EMS Association supports the formation of the Iowa Systems Standards and has been actively promoting the standards required as a designated EMS system standards pilot county.
Vision/Mission Statement
The Des Moines County EMS Association is committed to providing strategic planning efforts to ensure quality care, as well as efficient and effective provision of emergency medical care for Des Moines County, Iowa. In addition to this, the Association assesses available data and identifies system issues to pursue the goals established in the 2020 Plan. The Association also addresses issues regarding medical performance standards, human resources concerns, fiscal management issues and promotion of health-related issues within their community.
Historical Background of EMS in Des Moines County
Des Moines County is located in Southeast Iowa and has a spatial area of 261,760 acres or about 409 square miles, consisting of a population of 42,351 (US 2000 Census Report). There are five incorporated municipalities within their boundaries: Burlington, Danville, Mediapolis, Middletown and West Burlington.
In 1982 Burlington became the states first fire-based paramedic service and has been the benchmark for other community ambulance services. Burlington’s Ambulance Service today is part of the Burlington Fire Department, and provides emergency and non-emergency transport service for Burlington, West Burlington, Middletown and Danville. In the mid-1980’s, the Mediapolis Fire Department took over provisions of ambulance and EMS services from the Fry Funeral Service. They have followed in the footsteps of the Burlington Fire Department, with the only difference in that they are a total volunteer service and separate from the Mediapolis Fire department. They are part of the Northern Des Moines County EMS, and provide emergency and non-emergency transport service in that part of the county. Both services house ambulances at the respective Burlington and Mediapolis Fire Departments.
The Emergency Medical Service in Des Moines County is divided between the Northern and Southern portions of the county. These are based in Mediapolis and Burlington respectively. Burlington’s Fire Department provides emergency services along with the West Burlington and Danville Fire Departments to the southern portion of Des Moines County, while Northern Des Moines County EMS in Mediapolis provides service to this area, along with the Yarmouth Fire Department’s First Responders. Burlington is a paid career staff, while the remaining providers are total volunteer staff. Burlington provides ambulances transportation with their five ambulances for the southern portion, while Mediapolis provides the same in the northern portion with two ambulances. Most transport is to Great River Medical Center (GRMC) in West Burlington. GRMC also has its own ambulance service – Superior Ambulance Service –which offers mainly private transport for its own patients. The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, a Federal Department of Defense installation, provides ambulance service and has mutual aid with surrounding communities. The Iowa Army Ammunitions Plant is located in West Burlington and has intermediate response capability for their location and provides backup assistance to the Burlington Fire Department. They are also part of the EMS Association. The Des Moines County EMS Association is comprised of individuals from both regions of the county and meets on a regular basis to discuss and maintain a close working relationship. The association is responsible for reimbursing all training costs of individuals in the respective departments.
Governing Bodies
Des Moines County currently has an advisory council comprised of stakeholders in the EMS community. The Des Moines County EMS Association is also a member of the Southeast Iowa EMS Council. Membership is comprised of three voting members from each of the following agencies:
The board of directors has a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The following individuals currently hold these positions:
David Luers, President
Jim Mehaffy, Vice-President
Dan Frank, Secretary
Matt Trexel, Treasurer
David Luers, Deputy Chief of Operations for the Burlington Fire Department, Paramedic Specialist and President of the Des Moines County EMS Association will be responsible for ensuring completeness of any and all objectives for this project. David has a strong leadership background in both fire and EMS. He currently serves as the Des Moines County EMS Association’s representative for the Southeast Iowa EMS Association. He was a member of the Iowa EMS System Standards Committee, helping to establish the system standards identified in this RFP.
Jim Mehaffy, Service Director for Mediapolis Ambulance Service, Training Specialist for the Superior Ambulance Service Paramedic Specialist and Vice President of the Des Moines County EMS Association will lead the EMS Stakeholder meetings. Jim is the System Standards Pilot project coordinator for Des Moines county.
Dan Frank, Secretary of the Des Moines County EMS Association, who will ensure accuracy of all reports and that they are submitted in accordance with the established timeline.
Matt Trexel, Battalion Chief for the Burlington Fire Department, Paramedic Specialist, and Treasurer of the Des Moines County EMS Association, will act as project accountant, receiving and disbursing any and all funding related to this grant maintaining accurate and complete records for verification.
Additional members participate from the following agencies:
Des Moines County, Iowa
The Des Moines County EMS Association has long prided itself on being the leaders in the EMS community, providing essential medical care for the public. The association works to expand relationships in the community by conducting regular meetings and sharing ideas, training and equipment. The Des Moines County EMS Association supports the formation of the Iowa Systems Standards and has been actively promoting the standards required as a designated EMS system standards pilot county.
Vision/Mission Statement
The Des Moines County EMS Association is committed to providing strategic planning efforts to ensure quality care, as well as efficient and effective provision of emergency medical care for Des Moines County, Iowa. In addition to this, the Association assesses available data and identifies system issues to pursue the goals established in the 2020 Plan. The Association also addresses issues regarding medical performance standards, human resources concerns, fiscal management issues and promotion of health-related issues within their community.
Historical Background of EMS in Des Moines County
Des Moines County is located in Southeast Iowa and has a spatial area of 261,760 acres or about 409 square miles, consisting of a population of 42,351 (US 2000 Census Report). There are five incorporated municipalities within their boundaries: Burlington, Danville, Mediapolis, Middletown and West Burlington.
In 1982 Burlington became the states first fire-based paramedic service and has been the benchmark for other community ambulance services. Burlington’s Ambulance Service today is part of the Burlington Fire Department, and provides emergency and non-emergency transport service for Burlington, West Burlington, Middletown and Danville. In the mid-1980’s, the Mediapolis Fire Department took over provisions of ambulance and EMS services from the Fry Funeral Service. They have followed in the footsteps of the Burlington Fire Department, with the only difference in that they are a total volunteer service and separate from the Mediapolis Fire department. They are part of the Northern Des Moines County EMS, and provide emergency and non-emergency transport service in that part of the county. Both services house ambulances at the respective Burlington and Mediapolis Fire Departments.
The Emergency Medical Service in Des Moines County is divided between the Northern and Southern portions of the county. These are based in Mediapolis and Burlington respectively. Burlington’s Fire Department provides emergency services along with the West Burlington and Danville Fire Departments to the southern portion of Des Moines County, while Northern Des Moines County EMS in Mediapolis provides service to this area, along with the Yarmouth Fire Department’s First Responders. Burlington is a paid career staff, while the remaining providers are total volunteer staff. Burlington provides ambulances transportation with their five ambulances for the southern portion, while Mediapolis provides the same in the northern portion with two ambulances. Most transport is to Great River Medical Center (GRMC) in West Burlington. GRMC also has its own ambulance service – Superior Ambulance Service –which offers mainly private transport for its own patients. The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, a Federal Department of Defense installation, provides ambulance service and has mutual aid with surrounding communities. The Iowa Army Ammunitions Plant is located in West Burlington and has intermediate response capability for their location and provides backup assistance to the Burlington Fire Department. They are also part of the EMS Association. The Des Moines County EMS Association is comprised of individuals from both regions of the county and meets on a regular basis to discuss and maintain a close working relationship. The association is responsible for reimbursing all training costs of individuals in the respective departments.
Governing Bodies
Des Moines County currently has an advisory council comprised of stakeholders in the EMS community. The Des Moines County EMS Association is also a member of the Southeast Iowa EMS Council. Membership is comprised of three voting members from each of the following agencies:
The board of directors has a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The following individuals currently hold these positions:
Additional members participate from the following agencies:
Gina Hardin: Des Moines County Emergency Management coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Services
American Red Cross
Burlington Municipal Waterworks
Burlington Police Department
Burlington Public Works
City of Burlington
City of Danville
City of Mediapolis
City of Middletown
Civil Air Patrol
Community Services of Des Moines County
Danville Police Department
Danville Public Works
Des Moines County Health Department
Des Moines Secondary Roads
Des Moines County Sheriff
Des Moines County Supervisors
Mediapolis Public Works
Planned Parenthood
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Salvation Army
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport
Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission
Two Rivers Levee and Drainage Association
West Burlington Police Department
West Burlington Public Works
Updated December 5, 2009