07/07/2025
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
From Adair County EMS
To the Citizens of Adair County:
Adair County EMS is fully committed to your health and safety. We want to assure you that, despite the challenges we face, we are doing everything we can to provide timely and reliable emergency medical care to our community.
Our funding primarily comes from patient billing. In addition, we receive important local support: monthly financial contributions from the Adair County Commissioners provide the most consistent and significant local funding we receive. The cities of Stilwell and Westville also contribute, though to a lesser extent. A new utility fee for Stilwell residents has recently been implemented to help sustain EMS services. While we have not yet received those utility funds, we are hopeful they will begin arriving this month.
Despite all these sources, we are still facing financial shortfalls—because operating a professional ambulance service is expensive. Fuel, equipment, training, maintenance, and staffing require substantial funding. When insurance companies do not pay enough—or at all—we must rely on collecting the unpaid balances from those who use the service. This adds further strain and limits our ability to offer competitive wages, especially for Paramedics. As a result, we are not always able to staff Paramedic-level units consistently.
We understand the frustration and concern surrounding the recent hospital closure. It has affected all of us—patients, families, and emergency responders alike. Longer transport times now lead to increased ambulance turnaround and resource demands. But during times like this, we must come together as a community and support each other.
To help meet demand, we’ve added a third ambulance on Mondays and Tuesdays—our busiest days of the week. We’re also excited to share that a brand-new ambulance is on the way, expected to be in service by September 1st. This is a major investment that will strengthen our fleet and improve reliability.
We remain dedicated to protecting and serving every resident of Adair County. Your support, understanding, and trust are critical as we work through these challenges together.
Respectfully,
Lance Selph
EMS Director, Adair County EMS