LOGAN COUNTY, Co. -- On January 15, Logan County area officials announced a committee on EMS services in Logan County and its communities convened to review EMS services.

The committee included rural fire department representatives, community leaders, Emergency Medical Service and other community stakeholders.

Logan  County Commissioner Jim Yahn is the chairman of the board. He said the first concern is that when an ambulance is needed, one is available. The group was started by Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg. The committee was formed to look at short-term needs, mid-term needs and long-term needs of a service necessary to the county. 

"With our county-wide EMS response, we think we have an excellent service here in Logan County. Our response throughout the county is quick, and we have some of the top paramedics that you can get in our area. The concern is that we've fallen behind as far as we have a lot of calls. It's hard on our staff. So, the concern is the shortage of staff, and we've also fallen behind on our salaries," Yahn said January 27.

Yahn said the county is seeing First Responders go to other agencies because of the wages.

"We're beginning to lose people to other entities. We just want to make sure that we're protecting the people of Logan County by continuing with the excellent service that we have," he said.

The EMS committee meets to address EMS needs in the county.

"We're bringing together people for monthly meetings just to discuss potential funding sources, maybe even a potential different direction. Right now, we have the EMS/fire service. We just want to make sure that's the best one for our area," Yahn said.

Logan County assumed the EMS system in 2011. Calls for emergency medical services have more than doubled in that time, according to the Logan County Press Release. However, compensation and staffing have not kept up with other agencies in the region.

The current fire-based EMS system is operated under an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Sterling and Logan County and is funded primarily by user fees. Preliminary talks have suggested a number of different options that this committee will consider.