EMS calls rise and Narcan use climbs as staff recommends not pursuing Round Lake station

Sawyer County Emergency Services reported increased call volume and overdose responses while discussing a citizen offer of land for a Round Lake EMS station.

Emergency Services staff (Mr Bremel) told the committee that runs have increased significantly year‑over‑year — "our runs have increased by 95 from last year" — and that first‑responder Narcan use before EMS arrival numbered 41 doses in the reporting period; since the report the county had recorded one death and an additional critical fentanyl incident. Staff described supply‑chain and cost pressures for certain drugs and the need to manage expirations and procurement.

On a separate agenda item, county staff reviewed a request from Round Lake to site a new 24‑hour EMS station on land the town offered. Staff reported the 2017 study cited Hayward and a southern county location as primary bases, said current call volumes and geography indicate a new Round Lake facility would not necessarily improve responses materially, and recommended not pursuing a new full‑time station in the upcoming budget. "My recommendation ... is not to pursue a new EMS station or 24‑hour station at Round Lake," Mr Alberado told the committee. Staff instead recommended investing in first‑responder capacity for the area, which could improve initial patient care until an ambulance arrives.

Staff also noted operational constraints for redeploying ambulances (vehicle availability, maintenance issues) and described that locating additional stations without matching call volume would risk underused facilities. Committee members agreed to focus on first‑responder capacity and to continue evaluating equipment and staffing needs.

Staff will continue to refine response plans and to include these considerations in budget planning.