The Keweenaw County Sheriff, working with the 6 Keweenaw County Volunteer Fire Departments, has developed plans to provide this service.
For the 2006-2007 winter season, the Ahmeek Village Volunteer Fire Department will be equipped with off-road patient transport equipment provided by the Keweenaw County Sheriff's Department or purchased with donations from the medical community including both hospitals and the Medical Control Authority.
The equipment consists of a snowmobile, rescue sled, and transport trailer that will be delivered to an accident scene by the Ahmeek fire department. Patient treatment will be the responsibility of ambulance personnel and local first responders.
For the 2007-08 winter season the acquisition of an additional 4x4 tracked ORV type vehicle with patient transport equipment is planned. This equipment will also be used for the off-road rescues in the summer. The Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners has submitted a pre-application to the USDA Rural Development for a 55/45 grant to help with the purchase of this equipment.
The 6 Keweenaw County Fire Departments, with the assistance of local businesses, are sponsoring a fund drive to raise the Counties share of the local match, approximately $7,000.
Local Keweenaw businesses have joined in the fund drive by making a personal donation and distributing donation envelopes to be used by our visitors who may want to support our fund drive.
