State's Legal Action Against Dillsboro EMS Rescheduled to 2026

Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 2:10 PM

By Travis Thayer @eagle993

Indiana's AG filed a lawsuit alleging that the nonprofit DEAU has shown itself unable to provide services to the community.

(Dillsboro, Ind.) - In February, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a lawsuit alleging that the nonprofit Dillsboro Emergency Ambulance Unit Inc. has shown itself unable to provide services to the community - thereby endangering the lives of Hoosiers though lengthy wait times in emergency situations.

In July of 2024, Dearborn County Commissioners decided to not pursue a contractual relationship with the Dillsboro Emergency Ambulance Unit (DEAU) due to poor response rates.

Later that month, Dearborn County Commissioner’s entered a contract with the Dillsboro Fire Department to be the first responders on EMS emergency calls in Dillsboro.

An Aurora EMS vehicle was placed into service in April to assist the area of Dillsboro until a long-term EMS plan can be implemented. The Aurora EMS vehicle is equipped with needed supplies to provide care until the transport life squad can arrive.

The state's legal action against Dillsboro EMS has been rescheduled from November 7, 2025, to January 8, 2026. The hearing is slated to take place in Ohio County, but the case will be moved to Dearborn County if the Ohio County Courthouse does not have its building expansion completed by that date.

The Honorable Judge Aaron Negangard will preside over the proceedings at either location.

The AG's lawsuit alleges that Dillsboro Emergency Ambulance Unit’s response rate has been falling since at least 2021 and has bottomed out at responding to a mere 12% of calls — forcing the local community to engage additional service providers and expend resources to cover the services that the defendant failed to provide.

Attorney General Rokita is bringing this lawsuit under the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Act in order to request that a receiver be appointed over Dillsboro Emergency Ambulance Unit to wind down the corporation’s affairs and ensure the corporate assets are being used for the benefit of the citizens of Dillsboro and surrounding communities in Dearborn County.

The lawsuit and a related court document are attached.

Indiana Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Dillsboro Emergency Ambulance Unit

County Commissioners, Dillsboro Emergency Ambulance Unit Fail to Reach Contract Agreement

Dillsboro Town Council Issues Statement Regarding Emergency Ambulance Unit

County Commissioners Enter Contract with Dillsboro Fire for EMS Emergency Calls