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Richland County EMS says staffing stabilizing and response times improved after summer departures
Summary
Chief of Emergency Services Mike Jesson reported full staffing, improved response times (about 90 seconds from dispatch to en route in Aug–Sept), and near elimination of costly temp staffing; officials said equipment and pay remain issues to address.
Richland County’s chief of emergency services, Mike Jesson, told the county board that EMS has recovered from a wave of departures over the summer and restored full-time staffing.
Jesson said that in August and September the average time from dispatch to when crews were en route improved to about 90 seconds, compared with about 2.9 minutes earlier when staffing was constrained. He said there are currently no full-time vacancies and multiple applicants on file.
Jesson credited county EMS staff for stepping up to cover shifts and said the department responded to every 911 call during the period. He acknowledged remaining challenges: EMT pay, building and equipment upkeep, and long-term sustainability. He also described a proposed shared leased response vehicle that would serve Emergency Management and ambulance service functions (not a take-home personal vehicle). Funding for that vehicle would be a mix of Emergency Management and ambulance fund dollars and the plan remains under consideration.
Jesson said the department’s near-term priorities are to finalize staffing stability, address equipment and building needs, and work toward a sustainable compensation model so ambulance service remains available countywide.
Ending: officials asked residents and townships with questions about coverage to engage with the board and county staff for more detail and possible future policy discussions about ambulance governance and funding.
