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Ada County EMS reports rising call volume, improved collections and staffing pressure; legislative bills on floor
Summary
At a Feb. 25 Emergency Medical Services District meeting, EMS leadership reported an increase in call volume (from about 36,000 to 40,000 calls), stronger-than-expected collections after switching collection agencies and staffing strain that county leaders plan to address in the FY2026 budget. EMS director also said several state bills affecting
The Ada County Emergency Medical Services District met Feb. 25 and heard updates from EMS leadership about rising call volume, improved revenue collections and staffing pressures that the district intends to address in next year's budget.
Sean Rain, speaking as the EMS district representative, told the board that two legislative measures relevant to EMS operations (identified in the meeting as House Bill 206 and House Bill 207) were scheduled on the statehouse third-reading calendar for the day. He said he planned to visit the Statehouse later that morning to follow progress on those bills.
Rain reported that the district's new collections vendor is producing stronger revenue results. "We're already, like, a half million, higher than we anticipated being this year," he told the board, referring to increased receipts after switching collection agencies. He said the district's overall call volume had increased from roughly 36,000 calls to about 40,000 calls, a jump he tied to demographic changes and other factors.
The increase in call volume has strained staff and equipment. Rain said the district has purchased new ambulances but has not increased staffing levels since 2019; crews are working at higher intensity as a result. He said the district plans to pursue additional staffing in the fiscal year 2026 budget.
On recruitment, Rain reported a recent applicant pool that included 15 paramedics, 7 advanced EMTs and 75 EMT applicants; he said application windows recently closed and that human resources would review candidates. He also described a recent major incident (a multi-vehicle crash during snow) that temporarily reduced available ambulances until transports cleared.
Rain told the board Medicaid-related cost-reporting work has experienced delays at the state level and that staff are pushing for timely resolution, noting the district would like to secure outstanding payments for prior periods before funding conditions change.
The EMS board approved routine items including the EMS claims journal and personnel actions by voice vote during the session.
