Our ambulance service is in jeopardy because of a staffing shortage.

There aren’t enough licensed volunteer EMTs to cover our ambulance 24/7 while maintaining full time jobs elsewhere. 

Riggins Ambulance has been blessed to rely on volunteers since the beginning but that is changing fast.

Becoming an EMT takes a lot of dedication in the classroom and the field. A class can last up to 6 months. At the end of the class the recruit still needs to pass an intensive “hands-on” test and a large written exam at an approved testing center. Becoming a licensed EMT isn’t easy. In my experience EMT classes normally start with many motivated recruits; however, that motivation starts to drop when they see how much work it takes to complete. 

EMS in Idaho is struggling because there is no compensation for life saving First Responders at the state level. Responders need to work other full-time jobs to support their families. It’s rare to find an EMT who has a flexible paying job that allows them to drop everything at any second to respond to an ambulance call. 

On May 17th, “The Salmon River Ambulance District” will be on your election ballot. We need your support.

What does this mean? We are hoping to form an “Ambulance District” in an attempt to save our Riggins Ambulance service. If the District is formed, property owners in the Riggins Ambulance response area will see a .04% increase on their county taxes. If your assessed property value (not appraised value) is listed at $100,000 your ambulance dues will be $40 a year. This $40 a year is to ensure an ambulance is staffed and available to respond to your emergency 24/7. The Ambulance District can’t afford to employ multiple full-time employees; however, it will evenly compensate everyone on our current hard-working crew. The City will maintain ownership of all ambulance assets and oversee operations.

There are a lot of days we are struggling to fill a shift with one EMT. What does this mean if we get two 911 calls at one time? Each call averages 3 hours from start to finish because our hospitals are so far away from Riggins. That’s a lot of time to not have medical coverage in our canyon. New Meadows Ambulance would need to respond, if they are available. This happens more than you would expect. Our awesome Ambulance Drivers can’t leave the station without a licensed EMT on board. 

In 2021 we responded to 81 more 911 calls than we did in 2020, and 2022 is already showing a very large jump in patient contacts. We can’t keep going at this rate and take care of our community. We are also responsible for 932 square miles.

This need for payroll funding is not due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This issue has been a topic for many years, it’s just now hitting Riggins. If the community passes this district, we will be looking into adding more services including a CHEMS program and more community standbys at our community events. 

Multiple people have put a lot of time and effort into this Ambulance District project. We have spent even more time attempting to locate funding in places other than property taxes. The truth is, we can’t find anything that supports payroll expenses for an ambulance service. Our neighboring county, Adams County has a similar program implemented on property taxes and its proving to work for them. Idaho Code 31-3908 and our City Attorney have been our guides on this project.

The Riggins Ambulance needs your support more than ever on the May 17th ballot, by voting YES. 

The Idaho County Commissioners will be hosting public hearings on The Salmon River Ambulance District topic. They will be advertising those dates.

Please call me if you have any concerns or questions. I am happy to speak with anyone. 

Cody Killmar

Riggins EMS Director 

cdkillmar@gmail.com

208-983-9263

March 15th, 2022 was our Public Hearing Day with the Idaho County Commissioners. All 3 Commissioners voted IN FAVOR of our Ambulance District, after they reviewed all testimonies presented today. 

Next step, Election Day, May 17th! 

Please contact us if you have any questions. We have a lot of information posted on our page explaining this Ambulance District.

We would appreciate your support in this election.