KATC Investigates is looking into ambulance response times in Acadia Parish after a shooting at a funeral in Crowley last month.
The victim had to be taken to hospital in a police patrol car because the closest ambulance was 25 minutes away.
“They were like, ‘Where’s the ambulance? Where’s the ambulance?’ And, all we could say was, ‘It’s on its way. It’s on its way.’ And, we just decided we can’t wait. This person can’t wait 25 minutes to get to an emergency room,” explained Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard.
When the shooting happened, all three Acadian Ambulance service units in the parish were all out on calls. Two units were in Rayne, and one was in Midland.
The funeral director at the service even considered using the hearse to transport the victim but decided not to because it was reserved for the funeral.
According to Acadia Parish’s ambulance permit, Acadian Ambulance Service has to maintain an average eight-minute response time on at least 80% of the calls.
Acadian Ambulance is reviewing the situation.
“Our plan and our fix for the response is to provide quick backups to the areas we serve,” said Acadian Ambulance Service Operations Manager Chad Doucet.
Acadian Parish Police Juror Ronnie Fabacher says that’s not going to cut it.
“St. Landry Ambulance wanted a permit to come into our parish to help out, not take over, but to help out Acadian Ambulance,” said Fabacher.
However, the police jury voted the contract down.
Fabacher wants the people to decide the parish should have a second ambulance service.
“Why don’t they put it to the public, a public hearing, you know? If you want more than one ambulance service or you don’t want one,” said Fabacher.
