What happens if JCEMS leaves KCD3 coverage area

Since the news about an ambulance service for the KCD3 EMS area appears to be so bleak, we contacted Dale Adkerson, Oklahoma State Department of Health Administrative Program Manager – EMS Division, to determine what could be done. While he did not know where help could be obtained, he was able to answer some questions.

Jackson County Emergency Medical Service is not required to respond in the KCD3 Area once they officially pull out. That means when 911 is called, the dispatcher at Hobart will have to locate a service that will come to Snyder, Mtn. Park or Roosevelt.

If KCD3 EMS cannot find another emergency medical service to respond the only option will be to begin anew like the past 40 plus years never happened.

Ambulance services are required to have enough staffing and ambulances to answer 90% of calls within 5 minutes (not on scene but en route).

An application for an initial, or new license is $600. JCEMS says it costs them approximately $20,000 per year to keep an ambulance in Snyder. In other words, it is a big expense. However, volunteer service is still acceptable; the volunteers just have to be certified basic EMRs or EMTs.

Minimum staffing for an ambulance is one EMR (emergency medical responder) basically the driver and one EMT.

An example of what it could be like when we do not have an emergency medical service:

A resident of Snyder had a fall Sunday around 5:30 pm and used her medical alert device to contact emergency personnel. When her daughter arrived, she called 911 just to make sure and was told that Jackson County EMS had been notified. Nobody ever showed up, or contacted them.

If you have thoughts on how the loss of ambulance service might affect your family and/or other community members or if you have an idea that might possibly help the situation, we would be glad to hear from you. You can contact us by calling or texting 580-569-2684 or emailing news@kiowacountydemocrat.com to share your thoughts for a later article or submit a letter to the editor.