AID – The county has approved the final purchase of its Aid ambulance and fire station from the Ironton-Lawrence County CAO.

Friday, December 01, 2000

AID – The county has approved the final purchase of its Aid ambulance and fire station from the Ironton-Lawrence County CAO.

The agency bought the property, then leased it to the county prior to the construction to help move the project along quickly, officials said.

Since county funding is now finalized, commissioners traded a more than $180,000 check for the deed during their meeting at the SEOEMS station Thursday night.

"We are pleased we were able to participate, to help this come about," said CAO director Keith Molihan, who called the station an asset to the rural communities of Lawrence.

Molihan presented commissioners with the deed. He also serves on the SEOEMS board.

Molihan also credited the commission’s work and incoming commissioner Jason Stephens for boosting SEOEMS’s finances by dedicating increased sales tax money to the agency.

"If it hadn’t been changed, there would not have been a station here," he said. "It’s a good example of what we can do if we work together."

Commissioner Paul Herrell said he was proud to see the station at Aid because it will continue to save lives.

Commissioner George Patterson said the quick response to accidents and medical emergencies from the county’s first ever rural ambulance station is a blessing.

"And let’s not forget the people who live in this county or travel through this county and purchase goods and services they’re who make this possible," commission president Bruce Trent said.

SEOEMS estimated the number of ambulance runs from the station would be about 30 per month, but they run about 40 now – a sure sign of the station’s necessity, officials said.

Aid Volunteer Fire Department chief Joe Justice said the half of the building occupied by the department has made a big difference in service volunteers can provide.