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Wasco County approves waiver allowing single advanced provider plus driver on volunteer ambulances
Summary
The board approved a waiver permitting Dufur Ambulance to staff with a single advanced EMS provider and a driver when a second certified EMT is not available, a contingency that may be used more often after the recent loss of an active responder.
Assistant Chief and EMS Director David Cunningham explained that state rules normally require two certified EMTs when a higher-level provider staffs an ambulance. He requested a waiver allowing a unit to operate with one advanced provider and a driver when a second EMT is unavailable, citing the volunteer roster (one EMT-Intermediate, two paramedics and three members pending Intermediate certification) and noting the waiver is historically used only a few times a year. "The requested waiver allows Dufur Ambulance to legally staff a unit with a single advanced provider and a driver when a second EMT is unavailable," Cunningham said.
Emergency Manager Sheridan McClellan and the board discussed staffing implications; Chair Hege asked whether higher certifications increase staffing restrictions and Cunningham agreed the regulation likely aimed to prevent understaffing. Commissioner Justesen moved to approve the reduced-staffing waiver and authorized the chair to sign; the motion passed unanimously.
