EMS is not funded as an "essential service" in the state of Montana.
What does this mean?
There is no state or federal funding for ambulance services.
If you or a loved one are sick or injured and you call 911, there is NO REQUIRMENT that an ambulance responds.
EMS in Carbon County is in Crisis
Carbon County EMS agencies need this support to ensure that they can continue to offer service to their communities
“The way things have been operating is totally unsustainable. We are having trouble recruiting, training and retaining volunteers; we’re having trouble replacing vehicles and equipment; there are times where there is no one to answer a call for service and we have to rely on neighboring agencies which greatly increases the time for an ambulance to show up. We need to figure something out now at a county level, because it is a county issue and it's only going to get worse.”
- Robin Harper, Joliet EMS, 24 years
CALLS ARE BEING DROPPED
Last year, someone called 911 for a medical emergency in Carbon County 33 times and their local EMS agency was not able to respond.
AMBULANCES AND EQUIPMENT NEED TO BE REPLACED
All Carbon County EMS Agencies want to make sure their members are operating well functioning, safe ambulances and equipment that meet high standards. Agencies plan years in advance to replace aged vehicles and equipment and often put off purchases. A fully equipped ambulance costs $350,000
Volunteers are increasingly hard to recruit, train and retain.
Volunteers are a critical part of EMS service in Carbon County and respond to every EMS call.
EMS agencies provide small stipends to members when they go on calls but they are not compensated for training, upkeep and administrative time.
Clarks Fork Valley Ambulance has 8 volunteers, all of which work other jobs. 3 or 4 of their members staff 85% of their calls.
Joliet EMS has 24 volunteers: 3 paramedics, 18 EMTs and 3 drivers. 17 work full time jobs and 7 work part-time jobs. Of these, 5 members live 3-5 miles away and 11 live over 5 miles away.
Red Lodge Fire Rescue is made up of 50+ Volunteers and 4 Paid Paramedics (on a shift schedule) who focus on EMS response
"EMS in Carbon County is like a three-legged stool. We rely on each other. We may have one really solid leg, but if one of those other legs falls, the whole thing is going to collapse."
- Roger Steffan, Clarks Fork Valley Ambulance
30 + Years
Clarks Fork Valley Ambulance was called to approximately 206 emergency calls in 2023
Joliet EMS was called to approximately 230 emergency calls in 2023
Red Lodge Fire Rescue was called to 723 EMS emergency calls in 2023
For Joliet EMS and Clarks Fork Valley Ambulance, a typical 911 call lasts up to 3 - 4 hours.
During that time, in most instances, neither service has EMS service available.
EMS Income is not sufficient to maintain operations
All Carbon County, MT EMS Services bill for service. They can only charge for "loaded miles" where a patient is actually transported to a hospital or designated destination.
Typically, only 50% of billed services are actually paid. Reimbursement rates have dropped significantly over the years but the costs of maintaining the service have risen.
Clarks Fork Valley Ambulance is currently funded through patient billing, $12,000 yearly from Carbon County in the form of PlLT funding, (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and approximately $10,000 in subscription services
Joliet EMS is currently funded through patient billing and $12,000 yearly from Carbon County in the form of PILT funding, (Payment in Lieu of Taxes).
Red Lodge Roberts Ambulance District is funded through $69.00 fee on residential homes and commercial properties as well as patient billing and PILT funds. The $69 fee is what allows them to hire full time paramedics to ensure quick, ALS level response. This fee has not changed in 14 years. The cost of an ambulance has almost doubled in this time.
What happens if this Mill Levy does not pass
-
EMS services in Carbon County may fail to respond to an increasing number of 911 calls.
-
Ambulances and equipment may become unreliable.
-
All EMS agencies will likely lose volunteers and will struggle to recruit and train new volunteers.
-
RLFR will be forced to cut services and positions.
Carbon County EMS Mill Levy Informational Presentation - Joliet EMS
Learn more about each Ambulance District
Please VOTE on June 4
during the Primary Election
Carbon County EMS is a collaboration between Joliet Ambulance Service, Clarks Fork Valley Ambulance, and Red Lodge Fire Rescue.
Each agency has a dedicated team of certified EMTs, Advanced EMTs, Paramedics, and drivers which provide outstanding pre-hospital medical services to the residents and visitors of Carbon County.
We are committed to delivering the highest quality of care to ensure the health and safety of our community, and we rely on our volunteers to make this possible.
Together, we work to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
