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Regional ambulance mutual‑aid agreement amended to allow up to 72 hours of reimbursable response time
Summary
The board approved an update to the Region 6 mutual‑aid agreement allowing reimbursement for up to 72 hours of emergency response support between counties; commissioners discussed operational and fiscal implications.
Yankton County approved an amended mutual‑aid agreement among the 11 counties in Region 6 that changes reimbursement language to allow billing for up to 72 hours of emergency response assistance, increased from the prior 24‑hour limit.
Paul, speaking for county ambulance services, said the only change from the previous agreement was reimbursement for up to 72 hours. "It used to say 24 hours ... we felt that in the event it's something really, really major, I might have to go back another day," Paul said, adding that in major events the county had deployed personnel for multiple days in the past.
Commissioners discussed concerns about sending crews out of county for extended periods and the associated staffing and expense. One commissioner noted state funding reductions for emergency management and urged caution about depleting local capacity. Paul said the agreement does not obligate the county to respond; it simply allows reimbursement up to 72 hours and that responding counties can still bill the requesting county for hours worked.
The chair called for a motion; Don moved and Wanda seconded to approve the mutual‑aid agreement as revised. Hearing no further discussion, the board voted in favor and the motion carried.
Paul said the change brings the county in line with other Region 6 counties and provides flexibility in the event of a large disaster while reimbursement processes (including potential state or federal aid) are coordinated.
