Cascade Township is taking steps to launch its own ambulance transport program. The move comes as the local fire department struggles with a growing volume of medical calls that tie up crews and leave gaps in emergency coverage.

The Cascade Township Board approved the concept Wednesday night. Fire officials can now begin developing a Basic Life Support (BLS) transport program. The plan would make Cascade the first fire department in Kent County to provide its own ambulance transport service.

A department stretched thin

The Cascade Fire Department responds to about 3,000 calls each year, according to department data. More than 1,000 of those calls involve non-life-threatening medical issues.

Cascade Fire Chief Adam Magers said the department has been analyzing call data for the past 18 months. He told FOX 17 that the trends are "unsustainable."

"Just about every day we'll have an instance where the township has a gap in coverage, and so every day we see that issue, and this would eliminate having those gaps," Magers said.

The department sees a 5 percent increase in calls year after year. About 25 percent of daily calls overlap, meaning crews are already on a call when a new one comes in. Magers said the department averages seven to 10 calls per day.

When crews run out

Magers described a past incident that illustrated the danger of stretched resources. The department was handling multiple calls for service when a structure fire broke out with a victim trapped inside.

"We had a busy day a few years ago, where we had multiple calls for service and then we had a structure fire with a victim inside, and basically we didn't have engines to respond," Magers said. "We got lucky on that one, where I was able to pull that victim out, but that could have went a lot worse."

Cascade operates as a combination department. It is staffed by both full-time and on-call firefighters who also provide emergency medical care. Non-life-threatening calls can tie up engines and personnel when other emergencies happen at the same time.

Who the program would help

About 1,000 of the department's annual calls are what officials call "low acuity" or "med three" responses. Those include non-life-threatening injuries, general illnesses, psychiatric evaluations, and lift assists for people who have fallen.

These calls often face delays in ambulance response. Private ambulance companies give higher-priority calls precedence.

Emily Gugino, owner of Senior Helpers of Grand Rapids, sees the need from a different angle. Her home care agency provides personal care and companion services to seniors in the community.

"We hear of falls quite often," Gugino said. "It's our main area that we try to educate on and prevent. Falls for our seniors can be catastrophic and result in hospital stays."

Gugino said her company always recommends clients call emergency services after a fall, even if the person does not appear injured. She called the proposed ambulance program "extremely helpful" and noted it would require specific training.

"I know there's a high need, and it also requires specific training, and so I know that they are dealing with a lot on a daily basis," Gugino said.

How it would be funded

Fire leaders say the program would support itself through insurance reimbursements and transport revenue. They say it would not require a new tax increase for residents.

"There is a funding mechanism, so it wouldn't be a tax burden on our residents, it would hopefully sustain this operation and allow us to hire firefighters," Magers said.

If approved, the proposal would add an ambulance and could include additional staffing. Fire-based EMS transport is common on Michigan's east side but less typical in West Michigan. Fire leaders said they have studied programs in Ann Arbor and departments in Barry County.

What happens next

Fire staff will now work on refining the plan. That includes staffing, equipment, billing, and operational details. Officials plan to return to the township board in August with a more detailed proposal.

Magers acknowledged that change is not always easy in the fire service. He said the staff has come around to the idea.

"Firefighters don't love change, but this is an example where I think they see the benefit of it, and it has been supported," Magers said.

The township board's vote Wednesday gives fire officials the green light to move forward. The final decision on whether the program launches rests with the board and its August review.

Sources:

- Cascade explores ambulance transport program as firefighters face growing demand — FOX 17 (June 2, 2026)