Some rural E-M-S directors are looking toward a new state law to help train more volunteer medical responders and keep them on the job. The law allows counties to declare E-M-S an essential service like police or fire and collect taxes to pay for it. About 80-percent of the medical responders in Dysart are volunteers. Julie Scadden is the ambulance service director for Dysart and says the program was already shorthanded before seven people stopped volunteering last year over concerns they could be exposed to the coronavirus.

Scadden says local taxes could help rural programs cover the cost of training and equipment. She says Dysart is in the early stages of organizing an emergency E-M-S resolution. The law requires approval from county supervisors and at least 60-percent of voters.