Reno County EMS, which operates as a part of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, has been asked to provide emergency medical services for patients from the Buhler area in response to a decision reached by that area’s emergency medical services agency.

Buhler EMS, a voluntary service provider, which responded to 156 emergency calls in 2012,operates as a part of the Reno-Harvey County Joint Fire District Number 2 and serves the city of Buhler as well as a sizable rural population in the area north and east of Hutchinson.

During November, Buhler EMS announced a decision to discontinue the area’s transporting ambulance service early in 2014 and requested Reno County EMS to assist in transporting area residents seeking emergency medical care to area hospitals. Kari Banning, Director of Buhler EMS, said the proposed changes have been a very difficult decision. “These changes are taking place due to a lack of trained volunteers,” Banning said. “Buhler EMS provides 24/7 service with as few as six volunteers, all of whom have full time jobs.”Banning said the change in direction with Buhler EMS is a step by step process starting next month.

For the first 90 days of 2014 until April 1, both Buhler and Reno County EMS will be dispatched in response to calls for emergency assistance from that area. According to a statement from Buhler EMS, they will act as a first responder and transport patients to area hospitals for the first three months of the year if sufficient personnel are on duty. If sufficient personnel are not available within Buhler EMS on any given day, Reno County EMS will be asked to provide emergency medical services. “Effective April 1, 2014, Buhler EMS will become a first responder and provide initial treatment for patients,” Banning said. “Those patients requiring hospitalization will be transported by a unit from Reno County EMS.” Randy Miller, Reno County EMS Director, said there is a growing need for emergency medical services in Reno County, something not uncommon throughout rural America.