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EMS reports rising call volume and variable response times; medical examiner reports suspected overdose death
Summary
Sawyer County EMS reported 1,090 calls as of June 15 with falls, breathing problems and transfers among the most common call types, and said response times are longer in outlying townships. The medical examiner reported a suspected overdose death of a 29-year-old pending toxicology results.
The county's EMS presented a midyear report showing 1,090 calls as of June 15, an increase of 83 calls compared with the same period last year. Falls were the most frequent call type (160 calls), followed by breathing problems; the service reported 77 transfers, 53 chest-pain calls and 51 traffic-accident responses.
Response times vary by location: within the city of Hayward the average response time was about five minutes, Town of Hayward about nine minutes and Bass Lake about 12 minutes. Outlying townships reported average response times in the 14—19 minute range. EMS leadership said the county usually operates two ambulances and two-person crews; on busy days or when staff are unavailable, response times have increased.
EMS also noted summer staffing has been "doing really well" overall but that reliance on two ambulances means any sick call or missed shift increases response times on busy days. The EMS representative said they will attend a national EMS leadership conference in July for training and professional development.
Separately, the medical examiner reported what staff called a probable overdose death of a 29-year-old; toxicology results were pending at the time of the meeting. The examiner said final confirmation awaited laboratory toxicology.
No formal committee action was taken on EMS staffing or the medical examiner's report during the meeting.
