Emergency Medical Services committee in the works

Citizens take it for granted that when they call 911, they’ll get prompt help for emergencies. This is important for health and safety, but some emergency services struggle for adequate funds and staff. Wright County is doing the best it can to make sure citizens get the emergency services they need.

After gaining approval from the board of supervisors on November 16, Wright County’s emergency management coordinator, Jim Lester, set up a meeting to discuss the county’s emergency medical services. About 65 people attended the December 14 meeting, including representatives from the county’s ambulance services, public health, county and city administrations, and law enforcement.

Lester explained the state of EMS throughout Iowa. Though fire and law enforcement services are mandated by the state, ambulance services are not considered “essential.” Lester said that some Iowa counties, such as Worth, don’t have their own EMS.

Five ambulance services operate in Wright County—Belmond’s hospital-based service, and Clarion, Eagle Grove, Dows, and Renwick’s city-based services (Renwick operates in three Wright County townships, though the town itself is outside of county borders). Dows’s ambulance operates only in the city limits, and Clarion and Eagle Grove provide backup services for each other in case of multiple emergencies.

For a full account of the meeting, see the December 24 edition of the Monitor.