A new state legislative task force is meeting Tuesday to address a crisis facing emergency medical response in rural Minnesota. Ambulance services in Minnesota respond to nearly 715,000 calls for service each year, and that’s rising. Since COVID-19, demand for emergency medical workers is way up, when a workforce shortage is becoming dire.

The State Legislature is intervening, with the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Task Force established late last year. The legislature wants to hear from both the EMS and the public, holding hearings across the state, including one today in Elbow Lake. That’s where Dylan Ferguson, the Executive Director of Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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