By THERESA PROUDFIT

Staff Writer

IRON MOUNTAIN – Beacon Ambulance Services has expanded to the Iron Mountain area. A satellite station was recently built on Fleshiem Street in downtown Iron Mountain.

Beacon’s Station 7 is located directly across from the Iron Mountain Police and Fire Departments.

“We are still doing everything we’ve always done and now we are just expanding our services to Iron Mountain,” said Scott Westman, paramedic. The medical team moved into the building on Sept. 30. “We just have some lawn work and moving in of furniture to do over here” said Westman.

Beacon currently has six units at Station 6 in Kingsford and now two in the new Iron Mountain station.

“We’re happy to be here” said Westman. “The big idea is that we are faster, it cuts down our response time. When you start talking about life and death, seconds do matter. If you’re on the other end of an emergency, waiting for help to show up, it seems like forever” he said.

The need for an Iron Mountain station has been a concern for many Iron Mountain business owners, according to Westman.

Beacon operated for five months in the former Hotel 6 building across from Econo foods in Iron Mountain. “It worked out, so we started looking for a building to buy, but couldn’t find one that fit our needs” said Westman.

Eventually they contacted CCI Systems about the lot they owned on Fleshiem Street. “They were happy to see the land would be utilized for the community,” said Westman.

Once Beacon had a spot to build, everything moved rather quickly. “Dickinson Homes moved us to the front of the line. We needed permits, boom to the front of the line. Numerous subcontractors were involved in this. We are very grateful” said Westman.

The paramedics are excited about their new location.

“We are really fortunate to be able to work with the police in the area. They have the AED’s (Automated external defibrillators) and they are able to assist us on almost any call. Now they are right across the street,” said Westman.