MILTON TOWNSHIP — New ambulance coverage might be on the way in Milton Township.

Township Supervisor Robert Benjamin said the board is considering switching from Edwardsburg Ambulance Service to Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service (SMCAS).

SMCAS officials sent a letter to Milton Township, requesting it consider making a switch, Benjamin said.

“SMCAS wants to house an ambulance out of our building on Bertrand Road so they have better access to Niles. So it would impact the whole community,” Benjamin said.

SMCAS provides emergency ambulance coverage to the cities of Niles and Buchanan and the townships of Bertrand, Buchanan, Howard and Pokagon, covering 275 square miles and more than 45,000 residents.

Its base of operations is at 2100 Chicago Rd., Niles.

Regardless of whether the township makes the switch, it is likely setting up a new ambulance district. Currently, commercial and industry parcels are included in the ambulance district but don’t pay an assessment.

“The township wants to correct that,” Benjamin said.

A public hearing to discuss the ambulance issues is at 7 p.m. May 17 at the Milton Township Hall, 32097 Bertrand Rd. in Niles.