Marion County Ambulance District returns recently installed dash cameras, looks for other options

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Because of multiple issues with current dash cameras, the Marion County Ambulance District is going to look at other options.

Chief John Nemes reported on the dash camera issues during the July 18 Marion County Ambulance District board meeting, at which the board also discussed plans for new ambulance purchases, the former visitor’s center as an ambulance base and a recent Child Passenger Safety Technician course.

“There were multiple issues with Verizon regarding the installation of the dash cams, including two units having to be taken to the dealership to be diagnosed for electrical issues,” said Nemes, adding the issues were because of poor installation. “They weren’t functioning and there was damage to the trucks.”

Verizon has been notified regarding the bill to repair the units, Nemes said, but it was dragging its feet on reimbursing the district for the damages.

“After multiple attempts to correct the situation, the cameras have been removed and returned to them,” he said, adding the district will begin looking at other options for cameras.

In other business, the board discussed the need to discuss a long-range plan that includes the replacement of ambulances.

“We can explore trucks in the fall probably for purchase in 2026,” Nemes said, noting the district has options.

The district has been using a smaller truck, which Nemes noted works better on some of the streets in Hannibal and could be considered for the next purchase.

No decisions were made on truck purchases, but if the board votes to replace several to set up a rotation for changing out vehicles, the district could be looking at buying seven new trucks.

The board also heard an update on the former tourism center as an ambulance base. Since no progress was made during the recent legislative session, Nemes noted it will be another year before the conveyance of the property can be revisited.

He noted several employees had toured the facility and decided the building is not capable of everything the district would like to do there, including moving the administrative offices and training center there.

“As a single base, it’s usable. As a combined center, it is not,” he said.

However, he noted plenty of land is available there if the district should consider building a facility on that site.

In his report, Nemes noted the district recently held a Child Passenger Safety Technician course, and several employees and Dot Lake, board president, received their certifications in the course. In addition, Capt. Chris Kelle was sent to the “train the trainer” course and is now certified to instruct the CPST class in the future, which will help keep the district personnel up to date on their certifications.

Nemes noted several meetings were held with emergency management staff to plan for the possibility of Main Street closing in Hannibal due to flooding. While that did not occur, Nemes said Southside Baptist Church offered the use of its facility for several emergency services.

“They have a kitchen, shower and places to bunk if the need arises,” he said, adding his thanks to the church for the offer.

He also reported the AutoPulse units, bought through an ARPA grant, have arrived and soon will be put into service. A training session with the crew is planned.

The board also briefly discussed pay and staffing issues but took no action.

A possible date of Oct. 12 was set to hold a 50-year anniversary celebration of the formation of the ambulance district. Past board members and employees would be invited to a dinner.

Nemes noted calls continue to rise for the district, with 542 answered calls in June for emergency services. Base 1’s two ambulances handled 282 calls. Base 2 handled 160 calls, and Base 3 (Palmyra) handled 83 calls. In addition, there were 17 off-duty transfers.

Information for this story was provided by Patty Cheffey, the former owner of the Palmyra Spectator newspaper. She now is on the administrative team for the Marion County Ambulance District.