Sides taken on future of ambulance service plan

The SW Polk Fire District is considering withdrawing from the Polk County Ambulance Service Area (ASA) Plan due to ongoing financial disputes. Fire Chief Fred Hertel claims the district is forced to subsidize an unsustainable system, noting that a significant portion of their responses occur in neighboring areas. While County Administrator Greg Hansen acknowledges the operational data, he disputes the district's proposed solutions, leaving the future of local emergency medical services in uncertainty.