Cherokee County EMS -Kansas

08/14/2026

EMT CLASS UPDATE:

Tonight was trauma assessment and management.

Our students enjoyed some lecture over trauma management and were then able to put that knowledge into practice by demonstrating various skills such as wound packing, the proper use of tourniquets, and various other trauma management techniques.

As these students continue to inch closer and closer to the end of classes, they have also been given the opportunity to gain real world experience and knowledge by participating in ride along shifts with our various EMS crews throughout the county. This type of training allows the students to see firsthand the varying degree of calls and situations that EMS personnel deal with every day.

But the ride along experience does not stop at just observation, as the students, under the watchful eyes of our proctors, are expected to be hands on with the patients and in some cases even take the lead on calls This type of training allows the students to become more confident in their knowledge and skills and further prepare them to eventually take their state board examination.

We continue to be very proud of each one of these students and their commitment not only to bettering themselves, but bettering their communities as well. 

07/29/2026

New technology is now in play that will help us provide better care for the citizens of Cherokee County.

Media Release: July 29, 2026
Contact Person: Sheriff Brian Henderson
(620) 429-3992
Topic: Upgrades to Cherokee County Emergency 911 center

People calling the Cherokee County Emergency Communications Center will notice a major change when speaking to our Emergency Telecommunicators. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for dispatching services to all Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, and EMS for agencies in Cherokee County, and we have recently partnered with Power Phone, which gives Emergency Telecommunicators the ability to thoroughly document and give real time instructions to those that are calling during an emergency.

According to Cherokee County Communications Manager Laura Meador; “This program has over 80 interactive scripts for law, fire, and EMS emergencies designed to help our telecommunicators provide the highest level of service to our citizens.

They are now able to provide lifesaving instructions over the phone such as CPR guidance, bleeding control or other first aid instructions while responders are on their way.

Those calling 911 may be asked more questions than before, but that does not delay emergency responders being dispatched. While information is being gathered it is automatically imported into our Computer System allowing responders to see real time data. The additional information will help us quickly determine exactly what is happening. This allows us to immediately send the correct responders and equipment, while prioritizing critical emergencies.”

EMD has already proven to be vital in the short time it has been in service at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency Telecommunicators have been able to give information to help a choking victim, CPR, and other medical emergencies. We have received positive feedback from Emergency Responders throughout the county, who now receive updated information and are better prepared to give care upon arrival at the scene.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is committed to upgrading our systems to provide the best possible service to the citizens of Cherokee County. Our Emergency Telecommunicators have received training in this program, while also receiving certification from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO). Sheriff Henderson stated; “We cannot put a value on someone’s life and if we can save just one life by implementing this program it will be worth it.”

07/26/2026

Three of our off duty personnel are assisting our neighbors to the north in Crawford County with EMS operations at the Million-Dollar Fireworks Festival being held at the Camptown Complex north of Frontenac.

Crawford County EMS had reached out, earlier this week, to surrounding EMS agencies to request any personnel willing to assist in covering this massive gathering.

Two EMT’s and a Paramedic from our service answered the call and will be assisting in manning the medical tents and responding as needed to emergencies in the crowd.

Thank You for stepping up and leading a hand, EMT’s Erin C***s and Ryan Morgan, and Paramedic Liz Curtis

07/24/2026

Please join us in congratulating two of our own on completing their training and graduating MSSU’s Paramedic Program.

Kylie Livingston and Randy Sandberg Jr. , who are both currently EMT’s, have completed all requirements to sit for their National Registry exam which is the final educational hurdle that they face on their journey to becoming Certified Paramedics.

Congratulations to the both of you and good luck on your testing, you both will do great.

07/17/2026

Update on the current EMT class.

Our students participated in extrication scenarios tonight in conjunction with a training exercise being performed by the Columbus Fire Department.

Our students learned how to properly approach vehicles, how to look for obvious and hidden dangers, and ways to safely gain access to patients.

Students then learned, and put into practice, various emergent and non emergent patient moving techniques.

All of this was being done while the fire department practiced various extraction techniques, which added a “real world feel ,”to our students experience.

We wish to thank the Columbus Fire Department for allowing us to piggyback our student’s training with yours.

07/15/2026

Members of our service joined with members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office and Columbus Fire Department in participating in an active shooter training.

The morning session included Instruction in scene size up, roles and responsibilities, wound care,and tourniquet usage and placement.

The afternoon session was dedicated to various scenarios with each member of the group being given the opportunity to put the knowledge they learned in the earlier session into practice by assuming the various roles within the response team.

While we hope we are never put in a situation where this training will be needed, we are extremely grateful to the instructors of this course for instilling the knowledge and confidence in the participants that will help them respond in the most appropriate and efficient way possible should the unthinkable happen.

07/07/2026

Update on the current EMT class:

It has been a few weeks since we posted anything going on with the EMT class, so here we go.

Over the last several weeks the student’s have been going over scene size up and safety, mechanisms of injury and transport considerations, airway management, primary and secondary patient assessment, medications and dosages, and tonight they went over IV set-up and medication administration.

The students have also participated in “live action“ scenarios that are designed to assist the students in implementing these new skills. These scenarios are ment to place the students into simulated, yet controlled real life situations , where they ( the students) have the opportunity to pause to ask questions or receive guidance from the instructors, or the instructors can pause to point out areas that need more attention.

Thus far the instructors have been very impressed with the dedication and effort that these students have demonstrated, and commend them for the commitment and sacrifice that they have made by not only showing up for classes twice a week for 4 hours a night, but also for the countless hours of study that they do on their own.

We will continue to update you as these folks continue to work towards their goal of becoming Emergency Medical Technicians.

07/04/2026

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July

07/02/2026

Members of our governing board and a few of our employees gathered at the site of our new Columbus Ambulance Station to honor our former service director Doug Mogle, for his years of service and dedication.

Doug was presented with a plaque commemorating his service with the Cherokee County Ambulance Service.

Doug served in many capacities, serving as a volunteer EMT, advancing to EMT -I and culminating as our service director until his recent retirement.

Doug, we once again thank you for your service and wish you well in your retirement.

After the presentation, all in attendance were given a brief tour, by our current service director Terry Clugston, of the new Columbus Ambulance Station.

This will be the first “purpose built” station that Columbus has had. All other incarnation of the Columbus Stations over the years have been previously constructed and repurposed structures that included a stand alone garage, a former plumbing service shop, and the former Powrachute plant, where the current station resides.

Having been planned from the ground up with the knowledge gained from years of adapting older structures for the needs of our crews, we anticipate that this new station will not only fulfill all of our current needs, but will also offer a flexibility that will allow us to adapt to any future needs for many many years to come.

06/27/2026

Stay home. Flooding is ongoing throughout the county. County roads, highways, and city streets. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

Water Rescue east of Crestline. Semi off the road!!