EMS volunteer shortage in Whitman County

Emergency Medical Services treat approximately 25-30 million patients per year in the United States. Response times in urban areas are generally seven minutes, but in rural areas the average time is double with one in 10 people waiting close to half an hour for help.

Longer response times are mainly due to the fact that EMS in rural areas cover more area and the lack of volunteers.

"I think with recruiting on the EMS side it is the same challenge as the firefighters," said Milt Groom of Colfax. He is a volunteer with the city and Fire District 11.

"You just don't have that group of people anym...