To the Editor,
 I am your candidate for House of Representatives District 7A. If elected, my initial efforts will be to improve availability of Emergency Medical Services in rural Idaho. Every Idahoan deserves EMS to respond to their medical emergency. Many don’t understand what it takes to keep rural services viable and operational. Additionally, the majority of rural EMS services are manned by trained citizen volunteers.
Rural EMS faces significant hurdles in recruiting, training and retaining these citizen volunteers. Many services now rely on Mutual Aid Agreements to cover their communities when the volunteers are away at their regular jobs. Even Life Flight relies on rural EMS to stabilize and prepare the patient for transport.
 In 2022, the State of Idaho conducted a study surrounding this topic and identified the issues. In 2023 a bill to address many of the contributing EMS shortfalls was brought to the House of Representatives. IT DIED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.
I am an active volunteer EMT for Elk River Ambulance.  Before that, I was an EMT in other rural ambulance services. I know the struggles to staff crews 24/7. Local citizens caring for their community and giving of their valuable time is what keeps it viable.
I WILL review the state’s study. I WILL advocate for The EMS Sustainability Bill.  And, I WILL advocate for the improvements, making certain EMS remains available to all rural Idahoans.
Vickie Nostrant
Lewiston