By JOHN EBY

Dowagiac Daily News

Cass-Van Buren Emergency Services Authority (CVBESA) Monday afternoon at its quarterly meeting at City Hall modified its five-year agreement with Coloma Emergency Medical Service (CEMS) back to three years.

Coloma began providing ambulance service to Dowagiac and surrounding townships on March 1, 2008.

On Oct. 19, 2009, the pact was extended for five years at no cost to member municipalities, but City Manager Kevin Anderson said Oct. 18 that action exceeded CVBESA bylaws.

Pride Care Ambulance of Kalamazoo and CEMS this year announced a merger to become the largest ambulance provider in southwest Michigan.

Their “strategic partnership” affecting five counties, Cass, Berrien, Van Buren, Kalamazoo and Barry, took effect Jan. 15.

With the addition of Watervliet city, there are no pending expansion plans, Coloma’s Cassie Sikes told Pokagon Township Supervisor Linda Preston.

There are 147 employees.

Coloma brought 89 into the partnership, Sikes said.