VIDEOS: The Hastings Fire Department has a new ambulance that allows them to respond to medical calls while departments across the state deal with a first responder shortage. It’s been about a 7 month process to get the department certified, according to Fire Chief Mark Jordan.
Jordan tells News Channel 3 the ambulance will serve the city of Hastings and surrounding townships. “It’ll get help to a resident or patient in need much quicker,” Jordan said. “We started talking about it probably about 6 or 7 months ago.” The ambulance will serve as a backup to Barry County’s primary EMS service, according to Jordan. The Hastings Fire Department dealt with a staffing shortage in 2023 and 2024, but they’ve gotten their staffing numbers up, Jordan said. Last year, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill aiming to fill around 1,000 open paramedic positions statewide. The law provides a state exam for applicants, instead of just a national one.
