County's Ambulance Service Hangs in the Balance
On March 19, McDonough District Hospital notified Lifeguard that the county hospital is terminating the ambulance service's contract effective May 3. The Community News Brief (CNB) learned of this decision late Thursday afternoon and immediately reached out to hospital administration for more information.
In an email response to CNB March 26, CEO Bill Murdock, stated, 'Confirming the date of the Lifeguard contract cancellation is May 3, 2026.'
There were 2,780 ambulance transfers in calendar year 2025.
The CNB sent an email to Lifeguard's media relations department Friday afternoon to inquire about the termination and its future in Macomb. Global Medical Response, Lifeguard's parent company, told The Community News Brief in an email that Lifeguard Ambulance has proudly served McDonough County and its residents since 2018, and their focus remains ensuring the community receives timely, lifesaving emergency care when they need it most.
