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EMS clears the way for new building
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Jeff Thomm, with J & R Excavating works to sort materials from the former IGA store downtown after its demolition earlier this week. The location will eventually be the home of a new building to accommodate the expanding Green County Emergency Medical Service, Inc.
Target date of 2014 set for new building

MONROE - Demolition of the old IGA store at 1800 12th St. in Monroe began this week, clearing the way for a new building to accommodate the expanding Green County Emergency Medical Service, Inc.

EMS Chief Dan Nufer said the organization has not yet hired an architect but will start laying out ideas and requirements for the new building early next year. The goal is to have the new station built by the fall of 2014.

The volunteer EMS organization purchased the property in July. The building had most recently housed the Bargain Depot.

Green County EMS owns its current facility across the street, a two-story building on the corner lot at 1821 12th St.

But with an increasing number of calls, equipment and volunteers, the facility needs to expand, according to Nufer.

EMS volunteers responded to 306 calls in 1975. In 2005, 30 years later, volunteers responded to 1,089 calls. In 2010, the organization had 1,446 calls.

Nufer expects the new EMS home will have a four-garage bay, more storage space, more sleeping quarters and more parking spaces.

Green County EMS, Inc. was founded in 1974.

- Tere Dunlap