Commissioners discuss EMS staffing, MOU with local fire department and vehicle maintenance

Williams County commissioners discussed strained ambulance availability, maintenance problems with high-mileage EMS vehicles and ongoing talks with a local volunteer department and dispatch as the county considers a memorandum of understanding to coordinate services.

Commissioners said multiple EMS units are out of service or experiencing mechanical problems, including transmission and rear-end issues on older vehicles. One commissioner reported the county's EMS fleet has about 10 units total and said roughly three had significant problems; commissioners and staff discussed the challenge of keeping older, high-mileage vehicles in service.

Commissioners noted reports of units responding with lights and sirens to calls that, from the public view, did not appear to require such immediate response; they said dispatch protocols and the proposed MOU with Bridal Fire (name as used in the transcript) are intended to clarify call handling and scene assignment. Staff said the local volunteer fire department and EMS leaders were meeting to refine details before presenting a formal plan to the commissioners.

The commissioners also discussed possible changes in dispatch procedures to reduce wear on vehicles and conserve resources. One commissioner said he had spoken with Scott Blue (identified in the transcript) about relocation and staffing issues; staff said the MOU and coordination work may take up to 90 days to finalize.

No formal MOU was approved at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to continue coordinating with the volunteer department and EMS leadership and to return with a proposed agreement when details are resolved.