CHIPPEWA COUNTY — DeTour Township in Chippewa County has transitioned from a volunteer-only EMS service to full-time coverage, provided by Kinross EMS as part of an expansion by the Northern EMS Authority.
The change, effective as of Sunday, aims to address concerns about slow or inadequate emergency response times in the township, which has approximately 700 residents.
This move is part of a broader initiative to improve EMS services across the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
“We’ve been very fortunate to be able to rely on some really talented professionals,” said Susie Baker, DeTour Township Deputy Clerk. “As our community ages a little bit, it’s really reassuring that the residents of DeTour understood that this is a real career and it’s best to have full-time folks here.”
Jim Miller, Northern EMS Authority Chairperson, emphasized the importance of collaboration.
“The only way we as a group across the Eastern U.P. can provide it as a full-time service is to band together and do it together as one and share the burden, share the cost, and spread that across the entire Eastern U.P.,” he said.
Kinross EMS took over Pickford EMS in 2022 due to a lack of licensed volunteers.
The Northern EMS Authority plans to extend full-time EMS coverage to eleven townships by January 2026, ensuring more reliable and efficient emergency services across the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
The expansion of full-time EMS services in DeTour Township is expected to improve emergency response times and provide greater peace of mind for residents, as the Northern EMS Authority continues its efforts to enhance coverage throughout the region.