By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The director of the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service has apologized for her department's participation in a television advertisement for a Niles chiropractor.
The ad features a SMCAS ambulance and two SMCAS employees, who seem to be providing assistance to accident victims suffering neck injuries. The ad was filmed on SMCAS property on Chicago Road in Niles.
The advertisement raised numerous questions among some Niles residents, who questioned whether the department was partnering with chiropractors or endorsing them.
Marlene Beach, SMCAS executive director, said the decision to take part in the commercial was a poor decision on her part.
"In retrospect, it was a very poor decision on my part. We were not intending to endorse anyone. I have called the local chiropractor and he has agreed to pull the commercials. I sincerely apologize for my lack of judgment. The only intent was to have a local service, but was a very poor decision," Beach said.
SMCAS received no compensation for the participation from the chiropractor, she said.
Beach simply said she was approached about the commercial and agreed to it.
"They just wanted to use a local ambulance service. They came out here one day with camera crew, recorded two of our paramedics who were on duty and that was about it," Beach said.