NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Monika Heller with Reno County EMS said that they are going on more calls than ever in recent years.
"Our 2022 numbers, we ran 8,343 calls, which, if you break that down, that's about 23 calls a day," Heller said. "We stay quite busy. Our call volume is up about 12% since pre-COVID. That's compared to 2019 which is the last real set of data we have pre-COVID."
Heller said with more people outdoors, EMS does have more calls.
Summertime for us does pick up our call volume," Heller said. "We do get busier June into September. We see an uptick in our call volume. Some of that is related to traumatic injury. Some of it's related to heat injury."
Especially if you are not acclimated to the warm weather, drink plenty of water before going outside for an extended period and drink alcohol responsibly by drinking at least as much water as alcohol, as that can be dehydrating.
Operations have mostly gone back to normal without as much concern about COVID spread, but they do still have some initial work as they travel to a call.
"Our communications center does still screen for COVID symptoms," Heller said. "There's a heightened level of awareness for our providers and their protective equipment they wear going on a scene, but most things have returned to our pre-COVID operations."
EMS coordinates and relies on first responder teams and EMS-certified volunteers to provide immediate response in rural areas.
Volunteer EMS departments exist in Buhler, Haven, Pretty Prairie, Nickerson, Sylvia, and Turon. Reno County EMS provides volunteer training, supplies, back-up coverage, and advanced life support assistance.
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