Inyo County Emergency Medical Care Committee conducted its monthly meeting in person, on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Inyo County Emergency Medical Care Committee discussed the Olancha Cartago Fire Department (OCFD) emergency services and had a presentation about countywide emergency services. The Committee has been working for several months to prepare a presentation for the Board of Supervisors with recommendations for immediate and long-term needs. This presentation will be at the February 11^th Board meeting in Independence.

Before the meeting Liberty Ambulance, Ridgecrest, (LAR), announced they would be suspending services to OCFD effective March 1. LAR cited Dry Runs. Dry Runs are trips where EMS are called, respond, but assist no one, so, they are not allowed to bill. LAR is not an Inyo County provider; however, LAR has provided services since July and was eligible to bill since December. 

Based upon historical information from Inyo County another up to $15-$30,000 to be used by Inyo County-based fire departments to reimburse for emergency medical runs. Inyo County specifically intended for OCFD to use its portion of these funds to reimburse LAR for all runs. Inyo County expected OCFD to create an appropriate contract; however, OCFD did not put a contract in place. 

“The system is very fragile, right now, county-wide. There are several issues we need to work out including boundaries of districts, medical dispatching, enhanced recruitment of volunteers, advanced life support where needed, and administrative support to the providing districts to name a few things. We need to find solutions that will not topple the entire system countywide,” said District 4 Supervisor Jen Roeser, “There’s not enough money in the system state-wide, which is why jurisdictions, especially rural areas, are seeing the same issues we are facing. While funding is the largest concern, there’s more needed than just money. Currently, we are using taxpayer dollars from the County’s General Fund, which is necessary now, but not viable long term.  We need to recruit and retain volunteers with worthwhile stipends, ensure training and ongoing education are not an overwhelming burden on the volunteer, and ensure things like radio communications and equipment are in reach financially of the Fire Districts who provide EMS service.”

Mr Nate Greenburg, Inyo County Administrative Officer, attended the meeting until he had to leave for another meeting. 

Inyo County requested an emergency meeting with OCFD, including County Supervisors Will Wadelton and Jen Roeser.

Inyo County Emergency Medical Care Committee is a Brown Act Committee.

Inyo County Emergency Medical Care Committee Meetings are not available via Zoom. To provide more access to remote Districts, such as SIFPD, recordings will be available on the County website, soon.