If all goes according to plan an echo unit would service a proposed medical response sub-station on M-32, west of Alpena.

The City and township have been working together to establish a station on the west end of town to speed up emergency medical response times to residents on that side of the county.

The two municipalities have been in negotiations to set up the station in a portion of a Department of Natural Resources building off M-32.

A potential agreement with the DNR is tied up in Lansing.

City Fire Chief Bill Forbush wants to establish the areas first echo unit at the station.  An echo unit is basically a single paramedic/fire unit equipped with emergency medical equipment.  It can not transport patients but would arrive on scene ahead of an ambulance to begin life saving procedures.

Forbush has already re-purposed an older police SUV that will serve as the echo unit.

The township would store an un-manned fire truck at the station.