Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Niles City Council agreed Monday night to a revised version of the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service articles of incorporation and by-laws. Niles Charter Township’s Board of Trustees agreed to the revised articles during their July 1 meeting.

SMCAS is a non-profit, municipally-owned and operated advanced life support ambulance service that has provided 24/7 emergency response in Southwest Michigan since 1976, serving residents within the Cities of Buchanan and Niles, as well as Buchanan, Niles, Howard, Bertrand, Milton and Pokagon Townships.  

While the services provided and response territory have changed over the years, the Articles of Incorporation were not updated to reflect these changes. Recently, Cass County communities lost emergency services and SMCAS was asked to temporarily fill this need. These area communities are now requesting a more permanent solution from SMCAS. This request promoted a review of the Articles of Incorporation. 

Following a meeting of the owner municipalities, a working group was tasked with proving revised Articles of Incorporation for consideration of the owners. The revised and restated Articles of Incorporation will require unanimous approval of the owner municipalities before becoming valid.