2001: LeClaire Ambulance receives state suspension

Jan. 3, 2001: The LeClaire Ambulance Service was suspended for failing to comply with an agreement with the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The service had already been under probation for allegedly failing to respond to some calls, but the suspension came following an investigation involving a heart attack victim in Bettendorf. The LeClaire Ambulance reportedly took 23 minutes to respond, rather than dispatching another ambulance service closer to the patient’s location. Ambulance officials began an appeal process, but in the meantime, Medic EMS would respond to calls. LeClaire Ambulance officials said that would likely increase response times, because Medic was not familiar with their area.