Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service hosted an open house Saturday, June 28 to show off the newest ambulance for the service, as well as offer some hands on experiences for youth and adults.

Attendees had the opportunity to work with the “stop the bleed” manikin, see how you can apply a device to open a breathing way, how to apply a tourniquet or learn how some electronic devices work.

The service had on display the three ambulances for the service. The newest to be added to the fleet is still getting some gear that will fill out the back of the ambulance in the coming weeks, but could be used for services. Donations from the community helped fundraise for the new ambulance.

The service will also be collecting signatures throughout the next festivals and at coming public input sessions to help establish a EMS surtax for residents in Linn and Johnson Counties. Cedar and Jones counties have their own designated funding streams, and LMVAS receives funding from Jones County currently for services there, but not Cedar County.

LMVAS director Jake Lindauer said that the goal is to help the service continue to provide 24/7 paramedic services by having a more devoted funding stream.

“We’re trying to be more pro-active to help provide necessary coverage to the ambulance services,” Lindauer said. “Some of our funding streams, like those from Medicaid, have not changed rates in more than 10 years.”

Reimbursements from some of those funds can also take time to occur. Having a more devoted stream will allow the service to maintain a professional staff on top of the numerous volunteers who help provide care to the community. Lindauer said that they have 35 volunteers currently on the service.

Attendees also had the opportunity to tour a LifeGuard air ambulance which landed at 10 a.m. just to the west of the ambulance shed, and there were sliders available for purchase.