Fallon County emergency medical services staff told the commission that obtaining volunteers or on‑call EMS coverage for holiday dates — notably July 4 and Labor Day — has become increasingly difficult. EMS leadership and a county EMT/field leader said July 4th had several refusals and extra vehicle responses, and that relying on volunteers makes holiday staffing unpredictable.

Commissioners, EMS leadership and county staff discussed short‑term economic incentives (a holiday on‑call premium), scheduling rules (rotating holiday assignments so coverage burden is shared), and other options such as recruiting additional personnel and structuring an internal minimum number of holiday commitments per responder. EMS staff will survey their members to determine a premium level that would meaningfully change behavior (examples discussed ranged from a modest on‑call bump to a larger flat holiday premium) and will report recommendations back to the commission. Commissioners asked EMS staff to test whether boosted holiday pay or a formal rotating holiday schedule increases coverage and to return with a cost estimate.

Staff also raised training and certification issues: the department has a pending EMT class and a temporary travel therapist earlier in the meeting; commissioners encouraged cross‑department cooperation on training and budget amendments if additional staff or pay incentives are required. No formal policy was adopted; the board asked staff to return with a proposal and estimated budget impact for commissioner action.

Ending: EMS leaders will survey responders about a holiday premium and scheduling changes, produce a short cost estimate for a holiday incentive program, and report back so commissioners can decide whether to authorize a pay policy change or other staffing approach.