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Star Valley Ranch joins valley towns in pressing for clarity on EMS deficit; council to pursue contingency talks
Summary
Mayor Rok said towns submitted a joint letter to Star Valley Health questioning the reported $1.7 million EMS deficit and the lack of a clear cost-reduction plan; council members agreed a dedicated work session including local fire chiefs could clarify contingency options.
Mayor Rok told the council that valley municipalities had submitted a joint response letter to Star Valley Health after the hospital presented information on EMS funding; the letter — drafted primarily by the Mayor of Afton — asked for more transparency about the reported $1.7 million deficit and for a credible plan to reduce operating costs. Rok said no municipality is inclined to commit additional public funds until those questions are answered.
Councilman Merrill said the town should explore contingency options in case EMS service deteriorates and suggested a future discussion with Mid Valley Fire Chief Jenkins and Alpine Fire representative Mike Voit to explore the relationship between fire response and EMS. Administrator Aitken cautioned that combining fire and EMS functions faces statutory barriers under Wyoming fire district law and that rebuilding a volunteer EMS base would be difficult given lapsed certifications and tensions after the hospital restructured services.
Council members agreed that EMS is a valley-wide challenge and that a dedicated work session including regional fire and EMS stakeholders could be productive. No funding decisions were taken at the work session.
