Council to finalize EMS coordinator job description, vehicle and implementation details before submitting packet

Council members asked several operational questions about the proposed Webster County EMS coordinator position, including whether the county will provide a vehicle, whether the coordinator will be expected to respond to emergency calls, and how travel expenses would be handled. The council agreed the job description should be finalized and circulated as part of the packet to the Board of Supervisors.

Michael Hallberg, who identified himself as from Fort Dodge and serving with the Niagara and Badger fire departments, asked specifically whether the coordinator’s vehicle would be an emergency response vehicle or a county-assigned vehicle without additional taxpayer expense. Council members said those are unresolved details; options discussed included a county vehicle, a mileage reimbursement stipend, or stationing the coordinator for outreach and administrative duties rather than routine emergency response.

The council said further decisions depend on defining the coordinator’s duties, expected hours and response role. Members noted that if the coordinator will respond to emergency calls, the person likely must be added to provider rosters and be credentialed appropriately; that introduces administrative steps and potential costs.

Why this matters: The coordinator’s duties and whether the county provides a vehicle affect program cost, liability and operational readiness. The council agreed to resolve these questions before the packet goes to the Board of Supervisors.

Next steps: staff will finalize a draft EMS coordinator job description that clarifies duties, hours, response expectations and vehicle/stipend options and include that document in the packet to the Board of Supervisors. The council agreed to review the job description and vehicle/stipend options by the schedule set for packet assembly.