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Sedgwick County proclaims EMS Week, leaders praise EMS response as call volume climbs
Summary
The Sedgwick County Commission on May 20 proclaimed May 2026 Emergency Medical Services Week, honoring EMS staff and accepting remarks that the county’s EMS responded to more than 75,000 calls last year. Commissioners pledged to study scaling and resourcing as call volumes rise.
The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners on May 20 adopted a proclamation declaring May 2026 Emergency Medical Services Week in the county and recognized frontline emergency medical services staff.
Commissioner Howell read the proclamation, which thanks emergency medical technicians, paramedics, dispatchers and other emergency care professionals for lifesaving care and service. The board voted to adopt the proclamation by a 5–0 roll call vote.
Sedgwick County EMS Chief Kevin Lanterman accepted the proclamation and told the board the county’s EMS system responded to over 75,000 calls last year and that an accrediting body placed the system among the top services nationally. "That was their words that they would put us in the top 5% of any EMS service in the country," Lanterman said.
Commissioners thanked EMS personnel and discussed growing call volume and resource needs. Commissioner Brady noted the increase in daily calls from the 150–170 range years ago to more than 200 calls per day now, and said the commission will continue to engage staff and hold a workshop to explore scaling and resourcing. "We've got to find creative ways that we do this ... to get your team the resources they need," Brady said.
The board recessed briefly after the proclamation to take photographs with honoree Jeanette Livingston, named earlier that morning by county staff as AbilityPoint’s IDD Professional of the Year.
Next steps recorded at the meeting: the commission committed to follow-up discussions with staff in an upcoming workshop to examine long‑term staffing and system needs for EMS response.
