Board backs staff to pursue ambulance satellite agreement with Glidden

Carroll County supervisors voiced general support for pursuing a memorandum of understanding with the city of Glidden to station a transport-capable ambulance in Glidden, which staff and Glidden officials said would shorten response times in the county’s northwest sector.

Jamie Weer presented 2025 call-data and response-time comparisons and told the board Glidden’s responders had an average on-scene time to advanced care of about 4.13 minutes; the county average, Jamie said, was roughly eight minutes. "If Glenn would take that call and they could actually start, if they have an EMT on board, they could transfer that person back before Carol even got there possibly," Jamie said, arguing that closer transport capability could speed care and free other rigs.

Staff estimated county annual costs for supporting a satellite ambulance at roughly $8,000–$14,000 (with Glidden’s local stipend estimates of $2,000–$4,000 to cover payroll or stipends). Board members discussed dispatch protocol, staffing and whether the satellite would be 24/7 (Glidden leaders said it would not). Several members expressed support for continuing negotiations and having staff draft an MOU for later approval rather than signing anything immediately.

No formal board authorization was required at the meeting; members directed staff to prepare written terms, coordinate with the Glidden city council and the county attorney, and return with a draft MOU for formal consideration.

Next steps: staff will draft the MOU and cost-sharing terms and present it to the board for a future vote.