Kan. EMS Meeting to Address Shortage of Responders
Dec. 12--Reno County EMS is hosting an informational meeting about the shortage of emergency medical responders in the county on Tuesday.
The 7 p.m. meeting will be in Conference Room B in the lower level of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, 1701 E. 23rd Ave. It is free and open to the public.
Terry David, Reno County Emergency Medical Services chief, said city officials and those interested in pursuing certifications as EMS professionals are encouraged to attend the meeting, according to a hospital release.
"During 2016, Reno County EMS, working in conjunction with medical responders throughout Reno County, has responded to more than 6,000 calls which represent a significant increase over previous years," David said in a release. "Our goal for the meeting is to have a free exchange of information on how we can best provide emergency medical services to the 65,000 residents of Reno County."
Topics will include the possibility of the agency hosting emergency medical responder and technician classes in early 2017 to address the shortage of trained personnel.
There's a need for these professionals in the Nickerson area and the far western part of the county served by Turon and Trails West responders. Pretty Prairie and Haven EMS are also seeking more responders.
For the past 45 years, Reno County EMS has operated under the umbrella of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. In 2002 it established a substation in Arlington that provides 24/7 care to 40 percent of the county's population, according to the release.
Reno County EMS is staffed by 30 full-time paramedics, one EMT and 10 part-time employees. Four of the paramedics are also registered nurses.
For more information about the meeting, please call Terry David at (620) 665-2121.
Copyright 2016 - The Hutchinson News, Kan.
