SALT CREEK, Ore. — Southwestern Polk County Rural Fire Protection District is considering withdrawing as an assigned ambulance provider under Polk County’s Ambulance Service Area (ASA) Plan, citing ongoing financial concerns and a lack of progress toward a sustainable countywide system.
Fire Chief Fred Hertel said the district has spent more than three years working with county commissioners to address funding and operational challenges without reaching a solution. The county spent more than $50,000 on consultants to evaluate the ambulance system, but SW Polk officials say key recommendations have not been implemented.
District data show only 10% to 13% of its ambulance responses occur within its assigned service area, averaging about 12 calls per month. Meanwhile, 50% to 60% of responses occur in neighboring districts and service areas, often when other providers lack available resources.
“We are being asked to maintain an ambulance service with an assigned service area that generates approximately twelve calls per month,” Hertel said, adding that the arrangement places an ongoing financial burden on district taxpayers.
SW Polk has pursued grants, reduced expenditures, adjusted ambulance fees and advocated for a “closest appropriate unit” response model that would dispatch the nearest available ambulance regardless of jurisdictional boundaries.
Despite considering withdrawal, the district says it does not intend to end ambulance transportation services. It plans to continue responding to medical emergencies and transporting patients when qualified personnel and equipment are available.
“This is not about getting rid of our ambulances or stopping patient transportation,” Hertel said. “We are talking about whether it is financially responsible to remain the designated ambulance provider for an area that does not generate sufficient activity to support the cost.”
The district has not made a final decision. Under the county’s ASA Plan, providers must give the Polk County Board of Commissioners at least six months’ written notice before withdrawing, allowing time to arrange replacement coverage.
SW Polk says it remains willing to work with the county and neighboring agencies on revised service boundaries, regional cost-sharing or other solutions to create a financially sustainable ambulance system.
For now, emergency services remain unchanged. Residents should continue calling 911 for emergencies.
