01/13/11 During Monday’s City Council meeting Council member Wayne Smith asked Fire Chief Andy Metsker to explain why the City’s main ambulance was towed to Wier’s Truck Service a week-ago Monday.

Smith said he had attended the Park Department’s Bus Trip on Monday and was asked about the condition of the emergency vehicle.  He said, “I was embarrassed to say that I knew nothing about it.”

The Chief explained that the accident had happened two weeks ago during the Council meeting.  Medic 1 was responding to an emergency call traveling on 13th Road east of Maple Road.  There were two 90 degree turns and the driver failed to negotiate the first curve and left the roadway.  There was a drop-off but the ambulance was able to drive out of the field and continued on to the emergency call.

The crash report, prepared by County Police Officer Mat Brown indicates that 35 year old Randy McMillen was the driver of the 2007 International Ambulance.  He was traveling east on 13th Road between Maple Road and US 31 at 8:53 p.m.  McMillen said he started slowing for the first curve and started sliding in the sand on the roadway.  The ambulance traveled off the roadway where it struck a utility pole with the passenger side mirror.

After handling the medical call Randy McMillen and his partner, 28 year old Deanna Cleveland complained of pain.  McMillen went to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center to have his left arm examined for possible injuries.  Cleveland complained of pain to the right shoulder but did not seek medical attention.

During Monday night’s meeting Wayne Smith asked to have the board members notified for this type of incident in the future.

Chief Metsker said Wier’s is investigating the severity of the damage.  Metsker stated that the incident had been filed with the insurance carrier.

Council member Chuck Ripley asked why it had already been two weeks and no one had an idea of the damages.  Ripley spent 30 years as a material claims adjuster for an insurance company and felt that the city should have known by now what the damages were.

Metsker explained the time frame by stating, “It’s a complicated vehicle.  An International chasse with an ambulance box.”