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Residents urge Green River council to address EMS staffing and ATV safety during public comment
Summary
Multiple residents told the council they have experienced near-misses with ATVs and expressed concern about diminished EMS coverage; the council said it is coordinating with the special service district and county on recruitment and retention and noted a pending state bill that could affect EMS obligations.
Residents and council members used the Feb. 11 public-comment period to press the Green River City Council on emergency medical services and off-road-vehicle safety.
Ben, a resident, asked the council to protect a historic ambulance and fire engine with a weather cover and said unlicensed ATVs and motorcycles routinely ignore traffic laws in town, creating safety hazards. Multiple commenters described close calls and urged the city to revisit prior proposals that designated feeder streets for off-road vehicles to reduce their presence on city streets.
Another resident and multiple council participants expressed concern about recent EMT shortages and the potential for longer ambulance response times. One commenter said the EMS board had not sufficiently consulted local EMTs. The presiding official said the city is working with the special service district and county representatives on recruitment and retention and noted there is discussion at the state level about legislation that could make EMS a mandatory service.
The council provided no immediate policy change during public comment but said staff will continue coordination with the special service district, county partners and the council on options such as recruitment stipends or other measures.
