Sawyer County EMS reports higher run volumes, long response times in remote areas

Emergency services staff told the Sawyer County Public Safety Committee that run volumes and some response times have increased as their service area and call complexity have grown.

"A couple years ago we were averaging about 5 runs a day. Now we're up to about 8," said Mister Brehmell, the emergency services chief, who added that average run times in the county's northern and southern centers are around 21 to 25 minutes and that remote calls can take substantially longer. He cited a recent call near a county border that took 54 minutes to reach.

Brehmell said a new reporting system now produces public-safety reports automatically and staff are working to correct township/address mapping so the data are accurate. He described training with EMRs, mutual-aid coordination and advice to call for help when crews are busy.

The committee asked about coverage in southern Sawyer County and was told long distances mean fewer calls there but higher acuity when they occur. Committee members and staff agreed to continue tracking the new data and invited further updates as the reporting system is refined.