Residents are concerned with the lack of EMS

The Marshall County Emergency Medical Service District #4 held a special board meeting open to the public on November 17. There were several items on the agenda for discussion starting with the possible action to approve minutes from the November 8 regular board meeting.

Item three was to discuss andpossibleactiontoapprove the purchase of new software required for in-house billing which was tabled pending more information. Item four was the possible action to add board members to signature cards at Simmons Bank whichwasapprovedanditem five proposed an executive session which no action was taken before adjourning the meeting.

After adjournment, a concerned attendee stood up wantingtoaddresstheboard. MCEMS Director Daniel Nixoninstructedtheattendee to take the proper steps to get on the agenda for the next meeting in accordance with the open meetings act. Several attendees reached out to The Madill Record with concern that the lack of staff within the MCEMS is troublesome as they feel the level of care will not be the same.

The Madill Record obtained a memorandum dated October 27, 2022, to Marshall County EMS providers. It was from Chief Chris Suprun regarding operational response. 'There are several shifts upcoming with a single truck staffed with two or three personnel,” the memo stated. “Due to this staffing issue the following should not be responded to by Marshall County EMS: Non-Medical Assists of any kind, Non-Emergent Transports out of county, Emergent Transports out of county if air medical or other critical care provider is available. The currentstaffing situation demands we focus our attention on 9-1-1 calls first and remain available for those prior to these situations. In addition to the calls above, we should not accept any Public Relations style events until staffing returns to normal and two trucks are staffed regularly.'

The memorandum means that due to the shortage of EMT personnel, that many services needed by Marshall County residents will not be available. The meeting ended with many unanswered prayers for residents.

Due to meetings having to follow strict rules and only agenda items can be discussed, Ashley McClain-Young, a board member implored residents with questions to take the correct steps.

“We highly encourage anyonethatwouldliketobeon the agenda or file a complaint to reach out to myself or another board member,” board member Ashley McClain-Young posted on the Facebook group Marshall County Information. “Any complaints that are received will be taken seriously and will be addressed”.