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Gallatin County EMS reports slight rise in runs, large drop in mutual-aid calls after staffing changes; Narx boxes purchased with SB 66 funds
Summary
County EMS reported a roughly 3% increase in run volume year over year and a 73.6% reduction in mutual-aid calls after adding staff. EMS used funds from Senate Bill 66 to purchase secure medication (Narx) boxes for ambulances; five boxes were purchased at an approximate total cost of $10,000–$12,000.
Gallatin County EMS told the Fiscal Court on Jan. 9 that the service saw a modest increase in run volume and a large reduction in mutual-aid requests after recent staffing changes and equipment purchases.
An EMS director (unnamed in the transcript) said run volume increased about 3% year over year and that mutual-aid calls into the county fell from 72 in 2023 to 19 last year, a reduction the presenter quantified in the meeting as roughly 73.6%.
The EMS director said the reduction in mutual-aid calls followed the addition of a third full-time crew member and a new part-time recovery squad; the county also relies on personnel from the city who can staff a third squad when needed. The director described operational changes intended to keep at least one medic available locally for high-acuity calls such as cardiac arrests.
The presenter told the court the department used funds from Senate Bill 66 to purchase secure onboard medication safes (referred to in the transcript as “NARK box”/Narx boxes) for ambulances. The transcript records that the county purchased five units, with the speaker estimating the total cost at about $10,000 to $12,000; the presenter said one additional box will be installed on a new squad when it arrives.
The EMS presenter noted the DEA favors secure storage and that the boxes allow medics to access controlled medications with individual codes and logging capability.
No formal action or funding vote was taken during the presentation; the information was provided as an operational update to the court.
