As improvements continue to be made and more members join the team, Washington County Ambulance Service is taking steps forward in its second year of operation under the county.

Paramedic and Field Supervisor Bret Carlson says the department has seen a recent increase in staff following the pay increase approved by the Washington County Board of Supervisors last October. He says that with the increase in staff and wages, the department has not had to mandate overtime work and they have been able to guarantee that at least two advanced life support ambulances will be available at all hours throughout the year. Carlson used only one word to describe the work he has seen from their members in their second year, “Phenomenally. Our staff has taken every speed bump or hurdle we’ve had in tremendous stride. Morale is great, staff is really stepping up to do what needs to be done. I’m excited for what the future has coming in the next couple of years.”

Carlson adds the staff is proud of the new ambulance they received last fall. He says staff gave input on the design for the truck which is their first vehicle purchase since the county has owned the ambulance service. Features in the new ambulance include airbags in the patient compartment along with more soothing lighting to help calm patients, five-point harnesses to allow staff to work and be safe while in route and an electric cot load that will save the staff from having to manually lift patients into the vehicle. The agency is anticipated to receive another new truck this summer, with plans to acquire a third in 2023 or 2024 depending on supply chains.You can hear more from Carlson during Wednesday’s KCII Public Safety Special Edition News Magazine airing at 1 and 6 p.m. and available through the On Demand page.