January 17, 2008
Ambulance Service Needs Help in Northern Lincoln County

Photo by Dave Maxwell EMT Coordinator Charles Reifsnyder talking to County Commissioners

By Dave Maxwell

Problems with the existing Lincoln County Ambulance service are creating a serious situation, especially in the northern part of the County. Charles Reifsynder, Coordinator of EMT services in Pioche, reported at the County Commission meeting January 7 that presently he is the only responding attendant EMT in Pioche. There are several other licensed EMTs who are County employees in Pioche during the day, but they cannot always be reached by phone or radio. At times, it has been necessary for Meadow Valley Ambulance from Panaca to cover Pioche.

Reifsynder said the Nevada Revised Statutes mandate that at least two licensed EMT’s be on board the ambulance on each run. Right now, Pioche cannot do that, meaning Meadow Valley or Caliente has to be called in. He said he is currently trying to have the State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) allow a variance on the requirement. At times, he said, a two-year variance has been granted. This would allow Pioche to use personnel who have had emergency vehicle operation training, such as Sheriff’s deputies, to drive the ambulance with a licensed EMT in the back.

He said the biggest drawback for getting people to volunteer to become new EMT's is the cost of the course, time invested and, upon becoming certified and licensed, the cost of travel to Reno, Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to take the test which has to be paid for, pass or fail.

Commissioner Tommy Rowe suggested that a joint coordinator of the ambulance system in the northern part of the County be appointed. Grover C. Dils Medical Center Administrator, Jason Bleak, said he would be willing to help, along with others, to develop a plan of how to get people trained and maintain records of training, runs made, billing, and other needs.

The County Commissioners are the oversight body for all ambulance services north of Caliente. Commissioner Paul Mathews and Tommy Rowe suggested that the ambulance services in the whole county be combined under one overall coordinator. Reifsynder responded by saying the idea has been proposed in the past, but rejected by the State, “because Lincoln County Ambulance in Pioche and Meadow Valley Ambulance in Panaca are under two different licenses and they do not want to combine the two licenses.”

Commissioners decided to taken the matter up at their next meeting January 22 and to develop an organizational chart and seek to reorganize the ambulance services in the County, excluding Pahranagat Valley.