Rawlins County schedules special meeting after McDonald EMS dispute, residents seek reinstatement of volunteer EMTs

The Rawlins County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 scheduled a special meeting to consider reinstating two former McDonald volunteer EMTs after an extended public comment period in which residents and county employees detailed operational concerns and personnel disputes.

Residents from McDonald and several county employees told the board they were alarmed by how changes at the McDonald EMS unit were handled and by actions that led to the removal of Hollie Yates and Rachelle Hubbard from volunteer status. Commissioner Mark Mosley said he had consulted with the EMS director and county attorney and emphasized that “any discussion regarding the EMS Director and McDonald EMS is discussed in open session.”

County Attorney Chris Rohr framed the dispute as relating to the relationship between EMS Director Megan Rippe and the two former volunteers and introduced a set of letters submitted by residents. Kevin Rippe read a letter on behalf of Megan Huntley. Speakers from McDonald included Kaitlyn Kirkwood, Lisa Osbourne, Sylvia Hubbard, John Blea, Marcy Sis, Sara Walker and Dave Hubbard; several county employees also addressed the board.

Director Megan Rippe described concerns about inventory, scheduling and station access and was asked to explain the sequence of events that led to volunteer terminations. Hollie Yates said the board was told by staff that patient paperwork should be left in a public mailbox when the Atwood station was unattended and that on the day paperwork was left Director Rippe was at the station. Yates told the board she had offered to help with inventory checks if provided an inventory sheet by email that she said was never sent.

Rachelle Hubbard said she had informed Director Rippe that a medication was nearing expiration but that replacement did not occur before the drug expired and that a replacement with a different dosage than protocol specified had been used on the rig. Commissioners characterized the episode as at least partially resulting from miscommunication among staff.

Both Yates and Hubbard said they resigned their full‑time EMT positions and intended to continue as volunteers but later learned they had been removed from volunteer status without further discussion. In response to the testimony and apparent community concern, the board agreed to hold a special meeting focused on whether to reinstate the two volunteers. The board set its next regular meeting for March 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Rawlins County courtroom.

The commissioners did not take final action on reinstatement Feb. 17; they directed staff to schedule the special meeting and left the matter for further deliberation.