November 19, 2024
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Avangrid donation helps Minonk ambulance service bridge gap

Dana mayor says keeping ambulance service is important to rural community

By Derek Barichello
Avangrid Renewables made a donation of $5,000 to the village of Dana to help it cover costs for the Minonk Ambulance service. Pictured are (left to right) Derek Bus, a developer for Avangrid Renewables; Jeff Reinkemeyer, director of Eastern Renewables Development at Avangrid; Sean Roll, a developer for Avangrid; Mindy Goodrich, chief of Minonk Ambulance; Bill Moline, city administrator of Minonk; and Dana Mayor Joseph Centeno.

Avangrid Renewables made a donation of $5,000 to the village of Dana to help it cover costs for the Minonk Ambulance service. Pictured are (left to right) Derek Bus, a developer for Avangrid Renewables; Jeff Reinkemeyer, director of Eastern Renewables Development at Avangrid; Sean Roll, a developer for Avangrid; Mindy Goodrich, chief of Minonk Ambulance; Bill Moline, city administrator of Minonk; and Dana Mayor Joseph Centeno. (Derek Barichello - dbarichello@shawmedia.com)

Dana Mayor Joseph Centeno believes an ambulance service is important to his community of just more than 100 people.

Situated about 17.5 miles southwest of Streator and more than 30 miles southeast of La Salle in La Salle County’s panhandle, Dana is a half hour or more away from the larger communities in the county.

The cooperation the village has with Minonk Ambulance, which is less than 10 miles away, is crucial, Centeno said.

And Minonk Ambulance is facing financial challenges because of the increase in equipment costs and wages, said Mindy Goodrich, chief of that agency.

A referendum is being explored to increase the amount of tax dollars that goes to the ambulance service, Centeno said, but until one is voted on, a $5,000 donation from Avangrid Renewables will help bridge the gap. The company operates wind farms in Otter Creek Township east of Streator, in Livingston County and has a project planned for the Dana area.

“We’re very happy to help,” said Jeff Reinkemeyer, director of Eastern Renewables Development at Avangrid.

“This is the relationship we’ve had with Avangrid over the last few years,” Centeno said. “When they do things like this, it says they are interested in investing in the county and the community.”

The levy was increased by roughly $70,000 to pay for ambulance coverage in Minonk, City Administrator Bill Moline said. The ambulance service runs on tax dollars and revenue generated from calls.

Minonk Ambulance is an ALS unit, which means Advanced Life Support. An ALS unit will be equipped with airway equipment, cardiac life support, cardiac monitors and glucose testing device. The service has two ambulances, one with a full crew working a 24-hour shift and the other on back up. The ambulance service draws from a crew of 15 trained staff.