FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   

Contact:   Captain Dave Wheaton, Lee County Public Safety/EMS
                (941) 335-1661, or Chris Hansen, 335-1604 

LEE EMS OPENS NEW AMBULANCE STATIONS, INCLUDING IN CAPE CORAL

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 9, 2002) – Lee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has opened a new station this week in Cape Coral as part of its ongoing plan to hire more than 50 new employees this year and improve service to residents. 

The station (#22) is located at Cape Coral Fire Station #4 at the corner of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard (2605 Santa Barbara Boulevard).  In addition, an ambulance recently was located to new the Estero Fire District station on Three Oaks Parkway (Station #21) and the county opened a station earlier this year in leased space at 13141 McGregor Boulevard (Station #20) across from The Landings.  All are manned 24 hours a day by a paramedic and emergency medical technician (EMT). 

 “We’re trying to put a new ambulance on the road every 45 to 60 days,” said Chris Hansen, EMS Program Manager.  Lee County EMS now has 22, 24-hour ambulances and three, 12-hour ambulances on the road. 

The increase in employees, ambulances and stations is the result of County Commission actions over the last two years to improve EMS response time reliability.  In 2000, the Board of Lee County Commissioners authorized the purchase of four new ambulances and hiring of 34 new EMS employees to staff them.  Last year, the Board authorized hiring an additional 43 EMS employees and the purchase of another five ambulances.  In total, EMS will be opening seven new ambulance stations throughout the county. 

Lee EMS has been conducting a nationwide recruitment of paramedics and EMTs to fill the open positions.  In addition, the county is in the process of buying and outfitting new ambulances to put on the road as soon as employees are hired and trained. 

Lee County EMS provides out-of-hospital advanced life support response and care to more than 50,000 citizens and visitors each year and also operates an air ambulance helicopter.  Its annual budget is $21.4 million and it employs more than 200 people.  This year, EMS celebrates its 30th Anniversary serving the residents and visitors of Lee County.  To learn more about Lee County EMS and employment opportunities, visit its web site at www.lee-county.com/ps/EMS/.