REGIONAL - Rural ambulances are an essential service operating under increasingly difficult staff shortages and financial conditions, but officials in both Orr and Cook are taking step to increase the stability of services in their communities.
At the Orr City Council meeting on Monday, councilors embraced a revision to state law that will allow some staffing flexibility to improve coverage.
For emergency calls and interfacility transfers in a primary service area providing basic life support transport, staffing requirements have been changed to allow units to use a driver who is not an EMT or EMR. A qualified driver must have attended an emergency vehicle driving course, must have completed an approved CPR course, and must have a valid driver’s license.
Ambulance services must notify the state Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board of a specific time period during which the staffing change will be utilized, as the change is considered temporary under the new statute. However, service directors may also submit another notice extending the period for utilizing the change.
“A medical director can approve any driver that is not licensed as an EMR,” Orr Ambulance Director Donna Hoffer said.
Hoffer also said that she had contacted an EMSRB representative who clarified that the medical director, not the board, has the authority to approve the change. However, if a complaint was filed about a run involving a driver serving under the relaxed restriction, it would likely be handled by the EMSRB.
Council members unanimously approved the change, which now awaits approval by the medical director.
Another statutory change allows ambulance services to stock medications for up to six months past their expiration date, but Hoffer said Orr Ambulance doesn’t use medications once they have officially expired.
Cook service
Meanwhile, city officials in Cook released a statement this past week detailing steps they are taking to shore up the ambulance service in their community.
“The city has received comments expressed by some individuals concerned over continued 24/7/365 coverage,” the release said. “We want to assure you that our goal is to continue to provide this critical service on a local basis.”
As first reported in the June 3 edition of the Timberjay the city confirmed that two part-time EMTs have been hired to help with calls and transfers and assist with some administrative duties.
Cook has also hired an outside consultant with more than 30 years of experience working with ambulances services.
The memo noted that the city has committed to receiving feedback from current ambulance service staff by creating an anonymous survey to solicit crew input for improvement and changes. Meetings have also been held with various personnel to fact-find and help identify a positive new direction for the service.
The city and ambulance advisory board are also reviewing and restructuring the duties of the local training officer.
The memo ended with a call for community members to consider becoming members of the ambulance service.
“Staffing a small ambulance service is a challenge,” the memo said. “There are scholarships available to cover training costs. If you have an interest in joining or have questions, please contact city hall or the ambulance hall, 218-666-2200 or 218-666-2866.”