Officials of Wapello County are working to make Emergency Medical Services an essential service
January 31, 2025
To get this done, requires community support
By
OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) - Tim Richmond from Wapello County Emergency Management Agency is a practicing paramedic. He says while most of the country is up in arms about egg prices -- Inflation has been affecting emergency medical services as well.
“As municipalities, as counties, we see our costs just skyrocketing for everything whether it’s the cost of an ambulance, a fire truck or a road raider. All these things are just astronomically more expensive,” Richmond explained.
Right now, Ottumwa Regional operates ambulance and paramedic services at a loss of revenue.
Counties aren’t required by state law to offer E-M-S as an essential service.
“Counties HAVE to provide Police and Fire protection there is no law that says EMS protection has to be provided,” Mark Frymoyer a paramedic from Ottumwa Regional explained.
Frymoyer and Richmond have been presenting to the Wapello County Board of Supervisors in hopes of changing that.
Richmond says it’s a difficult situation for the county and residents because of financially restrictive state laws.
Richmond said, “public officials are getting less and less ability to control their own local money because of the moves from the legislature. So, that’s why you see the local asks when we have these public referendums on supporting EMS. “
Frymoyer hopes that by making EMS an essential service, they can bring in and retain quality employees and cover the costs of equipment.
Frymoyer said, “Obviously we could get people to have a livable wage and bring the best quality candidates here to take care of the people in the community. “
They say while it might cost a few extra dollars in taxes, they don’t want to exchange that for the community’s health.
Frymoyer wrapped up by saying, “our main goal is to have people close to home taking care of people here at home. “