State representatives to host meeting on rural EMS challenges in Elbow Lake

Photo by Chad Koenen
The Henning community and surrounding area are just one of a handful of communities in the area that continues to be served by an ambulance service. The county board expressed a concern over staffing and additional funding needed for rural EMS services to continue to operate.

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County board members, on Dec. 19, held a discussion concerning statewide funding for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). 

Concerns surrounding rural communities and EMS service continue to be at the forefront. The county board asks the public to write to their state representatives about the struggles rural communities are facing regarding emergency medical services.

State Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, State Rep. Jeff Backer and other members of the EMS Task Force planned an open forum from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, in Elbow Lake at the Grant County Government Center.

County software upgrade

A motion by County Commissioner Dan Bucholz of Perham and seconded by Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood passed unanimously for the purchase in the amount of $112,500 for Siemens Building Automation System Software and panel upgrades.

This will allow for upgrades for the county Government Services Center on the northwest side of Fergus Falls, at the County Courthouse south of downtown Fergus Falls, at the Highway Building and the Otter Tail County Operations Center.

The request came from County Physical Plant Manager Terry Hoff. This purchase was supported by the 2023 county budget.