MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – Wednesday, the Legislature’s Emergency Medical Services Task Force held a field hearing at the Northeast Service Cooperative in Mountain Iron. Task force members Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora) and Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL – Hermantown) welcomed their colleagues to northeast Minnesota to hear from service providers, community leaders, and other stakeholders about the crisis facing EMS delivery in rural areas.
“Local communities in our region are facing an exceptionally dire situation in maintaining reliable ambulance services,” Rep. Lislegard said. “It’s extremely valuable to bring the State Capitol out to Greater Minnesota so we can hear directly from EMTs and other first responders most impacted by this crisis. I’m grateful to our community leaders and other stakeholders who made their voices heard, and we will keep their ideas and stories at the forefront of the task force’s work to solve this critical issue.”
“As a result of funding gaps and personnel shortages, small communities on the Iron Range and in the Arrowhead region are struggling to provide the reliable ambulance services everyone deserves,” Sen. Hauschild said. “This is a public safety crisis, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues to tackle this complex issue and maintain the ability of providers to continue providing lifesaving services.”
In November, legislative leaders appointed the task force to examine new ways the Legislature can strengthen EMS services, including in rural areas where providers are facing persistent staffing and funding challenges. Minnesota has more than 250 licensed ground ambulance services, which in 2021 responded to approximately 540,000 emergency calls to 911.
A February 2022 report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor outlined a variety of concerns about the overall viability of EMS providers – particularly in Greater Minnesota – along with concerns related to the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board’s oversight capabilities and authority to set certain standards.
More information about the task force’s work is available on its webpage.