People living in rural Bannock County will soon see a major life-saving upgrade when they call 911.
The Bannock County Ambulance District and County Commissioners are replacing volunteer-based ambulances with a full-time Advanced Life Support (ALS) crew based at the new McCammon Fire Station. This crew will serve Inkom, McCammon, Lava Hot Springs, Arimo, Downey, and Swan Lake, starting in July 2026.
What’s changing:
The new system will provide faster, higher-level emergency care. Current volunteer ambulances provide Basic Life Support (BLS), including CPR, oxygen, and automated defibrillators. The ALS crew will include paramedics who can monitor the heart, start IVs, administer emergency medications, and provide advanced trauma care.
Basing the ALS crew in centrally-located McCammon will also cut response times dramatically. Models show ALS care will arrive about 3 minutes faster in Inkom, 23 minutes faster in Downey, and 26 minutes faster in Lava.
“By shifting to an ALS system, we are improving response time and patient care,” said Ryan O’Hearn, Director of the Bannock County Ambulance District and Pocatello’s Fire Chief. “For heart attacks, strokes, and severe trauma, having paramedics arrive and begin care sooner—and with more tools—can save lives.”
This upgrade is the result of years of careful planning focused on fairness, quality care, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. The project moved forward with the help of federal funding to build the new McCammon Fire Station and grants to support staffing and equipment needs.
Operating the full-time ALS system will cost approximately $633,000 annually, funded through existing ambulance district levies without a tax increase.
Why the change:
Rural Bannock County has relied on the dedication of volunteer EMTs for decades. However, volunteer availability has dropped sharply since 2019, resulting in just a 53 percent chance a volunteer ambulance can respond. When no volunteer is available, ambulances must come from Pocatello, increasing response times.
When volunteer EMTs are available, they often must leave work or home to get to the ambulance, which can take more than 13 minutes to start responding. A full-time ALS unit, by contrast, can be on the way in about 90 seconds, with advanced care ready from the start.
What this means for volunteer BLS:
Between now and July 2026, volunteers will continue serving their communities as the Ambulance District works closely with volunteer teams through the transition.
“We cannot overstate our appreciation for the men and women who have dedicated countless hours away from their families to serve their neighbors,” Chief O’Hearn added. “They have been the backbone of this community for years. This transition is not a reflection of their service—it’s a necessary response to the changing landscape of emergency services and the growing needs of our residents.”
Unfortunately, current funding levels do not allow the County to operate two EMS systems at the same time. However, the County Commissioners are forming a workgroup with volunteer teams to explore additional service options, such as a Quick Response Unit to assist with medical calls.
“I know change is hard,” said Commissioner Hough. “But this is about ensuring everyone in south Bannock County gets the same level of emergency care as everyone else.”
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