Indiana Ambulance Company Sues County and Fire Departments

An Indiana ambulance company is suing a county and three fire departments over what it considers to be a breach of its provider agreement because the county is dispatching a fire department ambulance on emergency runs.

Trans-Care Ambulance filed suit yesterday in Vigo County Superior Court naming Vigo County, Riley Township Fire Department, Sugar Creek Township Fire Department, Honey Creek Township Fire Department, and their fire chiefs as defendants.

The suit claims the three fire departments have jointly established an ambulance, designated as Medic 51, which runs out of the Honey Creek Township’s fire station. It further alleges that the county has been dispatching the ambulance on emergencies within the three townships, in violation of its six-year agreement with the county.

Trans-Care’s agreement with Vigo County is reported to run through 2018. More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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