The Chippewa County community is feeling the strain of the national shortage of EMS workers.
Fire Chief and EMS Director for Boyd-Edson-Delmar and Stanley Fire Departments Ron Patten says EMS calls have doubled over the past 15 years. With one full-time employee, Patten says they rely on volunteers, but are seeing less and less people willing to do that. Patten suggests more funding for full-time staff and more ambulances would be a great start to fulfill the need for more help.