Dunn County explores EMS service reforms amid staffing and funding challenges

In a recent meeting of the Dunn County Executive Committee, significant discussions centered around the challenges facing emergency medical services (EMS) and fire departments in the region. The meeting highlighted the pressing issues of staffing shortages, rising costs, and the need for innovative solutions to ensure effective emergency response.

The presentation began with an overview of the current state of EMS and fire services in Dunn County, revealing a stark contrast in the volume of responses. While there are approximately 18,000 fire incidents annually, the county sees over one million ambulance runs, underscoring the critical role of EMS in community safety. However, the meeting also pointed out that 41% of emergency service providers reported they are not staffed 24/7, a situation exacerbated by an aging volunteer workforce and a lack of interest from younger generations in joining these essential services.

A key point of discussion was the statutory requirement for towns in Wisconsin to provide ambulance services, which limits their flexibility in managing budgets. The "maintenance of effort" law, established by Act 12 in 2023, mandates that towns cannot reduce the level of services provided, even as costs continue to rise. This has led to difficult choices for municipalities, often forcing them to compromise funding for other essential services, such as road maintenance.

The committee also addressed the complexities of service provision in Dunn County, where multiple volunteer and career ambulance services operate. The reliance on volunteer services is diminishing, and many departments are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels. The financial implications of these challenges are significant, with some towns reporting that ambulance services consume a growing percentage of their budgets, leaving less for other critical needs.

In response to these challenges, the Dunn County chapter of the Wisconsin Towns Association has initiated a study to explore potential solutions, including the possibility of consolidating services. The Town of Elk Mound has taken the lead in this effort, securing an innovation planning grant to assess how EMS and fire services can be delivered more effectively. The study aims to gather data from various providers and identify recommendations that could improve service delivery while managing costs.

The committee anticipates that the findings from this study will be available within the next few months, and there is a strong expectation that the county will need to play a role in implementing any recommendations. Notably, EMS services are exempt from levy limits at the county level, which could allow for more flexible funding solutions compared to municipal levels.

As the meeting concluded, members expressed the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure that residents in rural areas can continue to receive timely emergency services. The discussions underscored the need for collaboration among municipalities and the county to develop sustainable solutions that meet the evolving demands of emergency response in Dunn County.