By Adam Johnson

Director Adam Johnson of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) wishes to clarify some points presented in the Commissioners' notes from August 21st. The notes indicated that he submitted an updated budget request which included a request for an assistant manager for the EMS department. The community should be aware that certain misunderstandings or misinterpretations have arisen from these notes.

To clarify, Powder River EMS is NOT currently seeking an assistant manager. Due to a surge in demand of the EMS department, Director Johnson proposed an adjustment to the EMS pay scale named "Powder River County (PRC) Manager Assistance." This proposal essentially aims for officials like Sheriff Boman, Undersheriff Draine, Fire Chief Ragsdale, and Assistant Fire Chief Pedersen to assist in transporting patients in critical scenarios. Specifically, when the Powder River EMS system faces high demand and licensed providers are handling other emergency calls, these officials can step in to facilitate patient transport to hospitals or advanced life support units. Their role would strictly be restricted to patient lifting and transport; any medical care or interventions would be exclusively handled by licensed Powder River EMS providers until the patient reaches a specialized care facility. This initiative ensures that these four roles — two county and two city positions — are sanctioned and insured to operate EMS vehicles, keeping in mind that all involved have valid CPR, first aid, and AED certifications.

In the backdrop of the August 21st meeting, it's crucial to understand the EMS landscape. Since January 1st, 2023, Powder River County Emergency Medical Services has answered 112 emergency calls and stood by for 13 events. In total, the EMS team handled 125 incidents within the county. To put this in perspective, from January to the present day, we've observed a 32% spike in call volume compared to the same window last year. Notably, 27 days (or 22%) registered multiple calls summing up to 63 incidents, which is 50% of the 125 total calls. Such situations frequently demand several EMS providers or mutual support from partners like life flight. Often, multiple patients are involved due to incidents like multi-vehicle collisions. Delving deeper into these figures, there were 10 instances of two calls per day, 7 of three calls per day, and 4 occasions with four calls a day. With the right resources in place, we can significantly decrease preventable losses, underscoring the importance of ample coverage and timely response.

The nomination of these roles isn't arbitrary. The incumbents are chosen based on their managerial prowess, adherence to current education and certification standards, and proficiency in driving emergency vehicles. These positions undergo rigorous Emergency Vehicle Operations training, ensuring each call is tackled securely. Ambulances, due to their high center of gravity, can be challenging to maneuver, making them susceptible to mishaps that can jeopardize the driver, medical staff, and patient. Furthermore, these individuals are seasoned within their departments and possess the expertise to manage multiple tasks efficiently, ensuring patients receive safe and prompt care.

Director Johnson invites community members and peers from other departments to seek clarifications when necessary. He can be reached at the Powder River County EMS office or via email at [email protected]. gov.