EMPORIA — A staffing shortage within the Chase County Emergency Medical Service is taking center stage as the county begins shaping its 2024 budget.
Scott Harris, Chase County EMS director, told commissioners last week his workers’ request for 2024 was not necessarily for more dollars, but for more employees.
“We cannot keep up this pace,” Harris told commissioners, according to the Emporia Gazette. “I know my guys are tired.”
Harris said each year before he brings his budget to the commission, he asks his staff what changes they would like to see, the Gazette reported.
“They said, ‘Scott, we don’t think everybody understands what it takes for us to be on call like we are.’” Harris said. “By state statute, we have to provide a scheduled duty roster to provide coverage to the county 24/7/365.”
