Webster County EMS Essential Service

05/19/2025

It's National EMS week and from the bottom of our hearts — thank you.

Thank you for the sleepless nights, the long shifts, the calls that come without warning, and the calm you bring in the midst of chaos. Thank you for choosing to show up, over and over again, with skillful hands and compassionate hearts.

You are the first on scene, the steady presence in emergencies, and the lifeline for so many in their most vulnerable moments. Your courage, your dedication, and your sacrifice do not go unnoticed.

We are so lucky to have you in our community, not just as emergency responders, but as neighbors, friends, and everyday heroes.

You make a difference, and we are endlessly grateful. 💙🚑

03/02/2025

In today's video Todd Bingham with the Duncombe Fire Department and Shawn George with Callender Fire Department discuss the increase of call volumes and the decrease in staffing to respond to emergencies.

By passing EMS essential service, departments throughout the county will gain the funding needed for training, equipment, and guaranteeing an ambulance response to all places within Webster County.

On Tuesday, March 4th you have the ability to make this much needed change. Vote YES for EMS.

03/01/2025

We are 3 days away from the Essential Service EMS vote.

Paul Johnson recounts the evening he needed an ambulance. Paul suffered a cardiac arrest event and without the response of an ambulance, Paul's outcome would have been fatal.

"In an emergency, timing, seconds, minutes matter, so does your vote. Get out on March 4th and vote to make EMS an essential service."

02/26/2025

Becky Comp a resident of Dayton discusses the impact that both the Dayton and Fort Dodge Fire Rescue ambulances have had on her family's lives. Due to the life saving actions taken by EMS her husband was able to enjoy spending time with their grandchildren that he may not have gotten if an ambulance was unable to respond to his medical emergencies.

EMS saves lives, and with your vote on March 4th, our communities will be garaunteed an ambulance will show up to all medical emergencies.

Vote YES for EMS essential service.

02/19/2025

Currently in Webster County the northern portion of the county's transport service is provided by Fort Dodge Fire Rescue.

Several weeks ago a medical emergency occured outside of city limits of Fort Dodge. Prior to an ambulance being called, a house fire was occuring within Fort Dodge. Fire protection is an essential service and due to staffing levels, the personnel that were on the ambulances were busy when the medical emergency was dispatched. A delay did occur in an ambulance responding to the medical emergency as EMS is currently not an essential service.

With a YES vote for EMS Essential Service, staffing levels will increase and so will the amount of ambulances within Webster County and Fort Dodge. This will ensure that no emergency goes unanswered.

For more information go to our website voteyesemswebster.com

02/18/2025

Webster County, listen in to Todd Bingham with the Duncombe Fire Department and Shawn George with Callender Fire Department speak on how EMS response works in rural parts of Webster County. EMS is needed in all of Webster County and EMS needs the help from citizens throughout the county to expand the resources and funding needed to provide to those in need at a moment's notice.

Thank you to the Iowa Central Digital Media Production Program for helping us make these videos!

Vote YES for EMS on March 4th!
Early voting is available at the Webster County Auditor's Office now through March 3rd.

02/12/2025

The first day to start Absentee Voting is today, February 12th!

You may request an Absentee Ballot to be mailed, and PRE-Register through Tuesday, February 18th.

The last day to Absentee Vote in the Auditor’s Office is 4:30 on March 3rd.

Election day is March 4th – all polling locations are open from 7AM – 8PM. Voting will be at your regular polling place.

Absentee ballots need to be returned to the Auditor’s Office by 8PM on March 4th (Election Day)!

voteyesemswebster.com

02/11/2025

Fort Dodge Fire Rescue Lieutenant Devon Schuster spoke today at Friendship Haven to inform staff and residents of the importance of EMS as an Essential Service. Thank you for hosting this important discussion!

Please get out and VOTE YES on March 4th!

voteyesemswebster.com

02/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ABVpifn5L/

Editor’s note: This is the second part of a six part series on the March 4 vote on a tax for emergency medical services. Editor’s note: This is the second part of a six part series on the March 4 vote on a tax for emergency medical services. DAYTON — The Dayton Rescue Squad formally […]

02/05/2025

We'd like to share with you a statement from Webster County Resident Kelly Hindman, retired Iowa State Patrol Lieutenant.

"Should Emergency Medical Services be considered an essential service? On its face, that seems like a simple answer. Of course it should. That is the choice for all of us in a March 4th ballot measure for everyone in Webster County, Count me among the strong supporters of this designation. Fairly, I completely understand that this isn’t a slam dunk for some residents. It means a 75 cent addition to your property tax bill for every $1,000 of taxable valuation. For some of our neighbors, that may just be more than they can muster. Providing them that understanding is fair and important. But for many, it isn’t a crippling financial blow. I want to speak for just a bit about the human side of this decision from a personal perspective I hope is helpful.

I grew up in Dayton and lived there until I moved away in my early 20’s. I served on the volunteer fire department for a few short years. But I remember, 40+ years later, the amazing impact of the ambulance service and the monumental sacrifice of those who staffed the ambulance crew. Sure, as a kid I appreciated the coolness of the lights and sirens more than the critical care they provided. But as I grew older, I had a front row seat to their commitment. In over 30 years in law enforcement, I saw, with a front row seat, the incredible work of these selfless citizens. They did it out of a sense of caring for their fellow man and their community. And, they spent too much time planning the next pancake breakfast or cilii supper simply trying to have the most basic of supplies and very little training. One thing that sticks in my mind is that every time they came out to a crash or a medical emergency I was working, it was nearly ALWAYS one of their friends or family who was in distress. They rarely provided care to strangers. That alone is immensely challenging. For over 50 years, these services have done so, so much and asked for almost nothing in return. They simply deserve better from us.

I’ve needed an ambulance ride in my life. I was the lucky one who had them nearby. But I still owe it to every other citizen in Webster County to provide them the same care I received. Please join me in supporting these everyday heroes by voting YES to the EMS Essential Service measure on March 4th, 2025. It is a small price to pay for a service that may well save your life or the life of someone you love."

01/20/2025

What is the difference between ALS and BLS?

With EMS as an essential service coming up for a vote on March 4th, this is a question that has been asked by a few of you.

ALS is Advanced Life Support. BLS is Basic Life Support. Both are vital in an emergency.

BLS Ambulances are staffed by EMTs, or Emergency Medical Technicians. EMT is a semester long course that also includes 32 hours of clinical, or on-the-job style learning in the ER and with an ambulance service. They receive specialized training to provide emergency care for trauma and medical patients. They can also administer a few medications in an emergency situation, depending on local protocols.

ALS Ambulances are staffed by a Paramedic and an EMT, or two Paramedics. Paramedics typically have two or more years of education and 600 hours of clinical time. They can provide more invasive treatments, such as IV (Intravenous) or IO (intraosseous) access, medication administration, intubation, interpretation of electrocardiograms, electrical treatment of cardiac issues, crichothyrotomy, needle chest decompression, etc.

In Webster County, this is important to know. Dayton Rescue, Southwest Webster Ambulance (in Gowrie) and all first responder agencies are staffed by EMTs. Otho is currently in the process of starting a BLS transport services as well. If the BLS crew determines a higher level of care is needed, they will have Fort Dodge dispatched for what is known as a Tier, or ALS intercept. An ALS ambulance will then meet with the BLS ambulance somewhere along their route to the hospital, and the Paramedic will assist that BLS crew with any further necessary treatments.

Fort Dodge Fire Rescue is the only ALS service in the county, and is tasked with covering the northern portion of the county and all of Fort Dodge, as well as providing ALS intercepts for the other services as needed.

Voting YES on March 4th will ensure that all these transport services can continue to provide this coverage for the residents of Webster County, as well as adding funding to First Responder departments to increase training and purchase equipment necessary to provide care.

voteyesemswebster.com

01/17/2025

Did you know that just as recently as 2018, there were 6 transport services in Webster County?

Unity Point and Fort Dodge Fire each operated an ALS ambulance service, while Clare, Vincent, Southwest Webster (Gowrie), and Dayton operated BLS services. The total call volume for all services in the county was less than 4000.

In 2024, there were 3 transport services. Fort Dodge Fire covers the northern portion of the county, and operates the only ALS service. Southwest Webster (Gowrie) and Dayton continue to operate BLS services in the south. Call volume has grown to over 5000, with less resources.

EMS is not currently an "essential service". Police and Fire coverage are, meaning they are funded by property tax. But Iowa code 422.D allows counties to have an election, to allow residents vote on funding EMS through property tax. This must be a county wide vote, including all communities within the county.

On March 4th, Webster County residents can vote to provide funding to increase EMS coverage throughout the county and ensure that an ambulance is available whenever it is needed. This also will provide funding to First Responder agencies to increase training and purchase necessary equipment.

Find more info at voteyesemswebster.com