Closure of rural Pittsburg County ambulance service delayed

(McAlester-AP) -- A judge has put off the closure of a rural ambulance service in western Oklahoma.<br><br>Judge Thomas Bartheld signed an order last week allowing Para Med to continue operating until

Sunday, April 4th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(McAlester-AP) -- A judge has put off the closure of a rural ambulance service in western Oklahoma.

Judge Thomas Bartheld signed an order last week allowing Para Med to continue operating until a judge's revocation of the company's license can be reviewed.

That judge had ruled that Para Med's license should be revoked because the company did not meet the Oklahoma Health Department's standards.

The health department and Para Med agreed to the stay with the condition that Para Med must staff each ambulance with an emergency technician or higher, unless the call doesn't require it.

Para Med is the only ambulance service that serves northern Pittsburg County and southern McIntosh County.