Ambulance runs are up in Lyon County, Lyon County commissioners learned during this morning’s Lyon County Commission study session.
Representatives from the City of Emporia presented year-end Emporia/Lyon County EMS information to commissioners this morning. For 2008, there are 51 more ambulance runs than during the same time period last year, representing, 56 more patients than last year.
Emporia Fire Chief Jack Taylor said surveys are sent out to each patient who is billed for ambulance services. Overall, 98 percent of the people surveyed said they were satisfied with the services they received.
“We’re proud of that,” Taylor said. “There’s always room for improvement and we look for that. But I think 98 percent satisfactory is pretty fair.”
The actual ambulance ride itself scored a 90 percent with the chief complaint being the rough ride some of the older ambulances give.
In 2007, the number of ambulance runs made in Lyon County were 2,666 with 2,862 patients seen. Out of those, 460 were in Lyon County and outside Emporia.
In other business, commissioners clarified the nature of bridgework being done on Road L and Road 290. The bridge there is being repaired. Lyon County Commission Vice-Chairman Marshall Miller said there is some confusion as to what type of work is being done on the bridge. The bridge was closed about a week ago and is scheduled to be closed for 45 working days for repairs. Wildcat Construction is in charge of the project. Jim Brull, of the Lyon County Highway Department, said some concrete was coming off the bridge and some concrete reinforcing bars are starting to show. The county chose to repair the bridge now to save it from having to be completely replaced.
Brull also talked with commissioners about several bridges that are on the list for replacement. These include bridges on: Road Z, north of Road 340; Road X, north of Road 370; Road 260, east of Road M; G, north of Road 30; Road 30, east of Road J; and E, south of Road 60.
Brull said the list is tentative and has to be approved by commissioners. Plans have not been drawn up yet and permits have not been obtained. Work on the bridges is still a couple of years down the road, he said.
“Right now we’re still working on 2006 bridges,” he added.
Lyon County commissioners will meet again this week at 8 a.m. Thursday in the Lyon County Courthouse for an action session.