Mo. Ambulance District Reports Record Calls in September
Oct. 24--WARRENSBURG -- The Johnson County Ambulance District responded to a record 621 calls for service in September, Chief Shane Lockard reported Thursday night.
Lockard said the number of calls surpassed the previous record of 610 set in September 2013.
The public made 470 emergency calls, resulting in 309 transports, 121 immediate transfers and seven non-emergency transfers, with a total of 437 transports during the month.
Lockard said the district had 87 "relocation events" when ambulances had to be moved from one area to another for coverage, resulting in a total of 709 runs.
In the first nine months of the year, the district responded to 5,013 calls, an average of 557 per month compared to the 2014 monthly average of 527 calls.
Emergency responses accounted for 3,856 of the calls, or an average of 428 per month, 23 above the 2014 monthly average, with 2,455 emergency transports averaging 273 per month, up 20 over the 2014 average.
Ambulance mileage for the month totaled 32,386, including 26,211 call-related miles. Total mileage year to date is 253,579, an average of 28,175 miles per month compared to the 2014 average of 25,507 miles.
Office Manager Melinda Pogue said charges billed for the month totaled $408,475, believed to be the first time the district has billed $400,000 in one month.
Lockard said the district collected $186,631 in September, including $177,747 in fees for service.
In spite of the increased activity, operating expenses for the month of $247,745 fell from prior months and from $298,635 expended in September 2014.
Expenses are at or under budget in every category, Lockard said, adding he anticipated shortages due to increased call volume.
Fuel and payroll expenses are down, he said, and he expects overages in medical supplies and equipment repairs.
Year-to-date revenues of $3,369,173 represent 87 percent of the budgeted revenue of $3,889,140. Operating expenses of $2,447,650 represent 65 percent of the $3,766,939 budgeted for the year.
Total expenses of $2,566,295 are 58 percent of the $4,446,019 budgeted, leaving a balance of $1,879,724 for the remainder of the year.
The district has spent $107,311 on capital equipment of $655,830 budgeted, leaving a balance of $548,519.
The budget includes $530,500 for purchase of new ambulances, which will not be delivered until late January or February, Lockard said, due to production delays.
Copyright 2015 - The Daily Star-Journal, Warrensburg, Mo.
