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Chase County commissioners authorize hiring process for second full-time EMS position after staffing concerns
Summary
Commissioners moved to advertise and accept applications for a second full-time Emergency Medical Services position after county EMS staff warned current part-time coverage and volunteer gaps make two-person ambulance crews unsustainable.
Chase County Commissioners on Dec. 16 agreed to begin hiring for a second full-time Emergency Medical Services position after county EMS staff said current staffing and volunteer shortages make safe two-person ambulance responses difficult.
The request came during the commissioners’ regular meeting when an EMS speaker described ongoing volunteer absences and training demands. “I need 2 people on an ambulance,” the speaker said, adding that a volunteer scheduled to begin classes in January and others have taken multiweek absences. The speaker said the current model “isn’t gonna continue to work” and asked the board to “get serious” about adding a full-time position.
Why it matters: County EMS depends on consistent two-person crews for ambulances. Commissioners authorized posting the 40-hour position publicly in local newspapers and online and directed staff to coordinate outreach, a step that starts the formal hiring process and could change staffing capacity for on-call emergency response.
Commission action and next steps
After a brief executive-session discussion on non-elected personnel, commissioners returned to open session and approved a motion giving staff permission to advertise and accept applicants for a 40-hour second full-time EMS position. The board directed advertising in the Chase County Leader, the Emporium Gazette and on the county Facebook page. Commissioners said they will review applications when posted.
No final hiring decision was made at the meeting. The executive session was described in the minutes as lasting 10 minutes and “no action taken” during the closed session. Commissioners moved the hiring step forward in open session by approving the advertising and application process.
What commissioners and staff said
The speaker who requested the position said the service has been “pulling 24/7” and cannot add hours while keeping two-person crews on every ambulance. Commissioner remarks in the meeting supported moving forward quickly: one commissioner said, “We want that 1 full time,” and the board later confirmed how postings and outreach would be handled.
Context and background
The board has discussed EMS staffing previously; the speaker said conversations about a second full-time position began in October. Commissioners instructed staff to post the job and to coordinate the text of the posting with Commissioner Connie (last name not specified) before releasing it.
Ending
The county will accept applications once the posting is published; the meeting did not set an internal hiring timeline or a target start date for the new position. The commissioners said they will revisit applicants and staffing in future meetings as needed.
