Emergency medical services (EMS) in Webster County will be funded into the future.

On Tuesday, Webster County voters approved the measure by 83 percent with 3,447 yes votes and 676 no votes. The measure required 60 percent to pass.

“The voters have spoken,” said Webster County Emergency Management Coordinator Dylan Hagen. “I’m excited to see how we can improve EMS in Webster County and glad to know our communities support EMS.”

The majority of Webster County voters approved a dedicated tax of 75-cents per $1,000 of taxable property value that will fund EMS annually throughout the county. The EMS committee, through working with the County Auditor’s office, estimated that the tax will create $1.6 million for EMS in the county.

Fort Dodge Fire Department, having the largest tax base and coverage area, is anticipated to receive approximately $1.2 million. Southeast Webster Emergency Medical Service, which covers the southwestern quadrant of the county will receive approximately $215,000. Dayton Rescue Squad, which responds to emergencies in the southeastern quadrant, will receive approximately $150,000 to cover the cost of supplies, fuel, ambulance maintenance, as well as paramedic and EMT staffing.

“We are relieved to continue to provide the kind of care that people deserve,” said Danny Hansen, director of the Dayton Rescue Squad. “Obviously people understood that lives were at stake here.”

Funding for EMS has never been considered essential nor received direct funding at the city, county, or state level. Instead, departments have had to rely on their fire department and law enforcement counterparts as well as donations and fundraisers. Tuesday’s vote changes that and will fund EMS throughout Webster County.

The dedicated tax will be placed into an EMS Trust Fund with the county and will be distributed by the county. Funding will also be overseen by an EMS Advisory Council as well as the Webster County Supervisors.

“We’re relieved,” said Fort Dodge Fire Chief Matt Price. “We’ll be able to continue to do the work that is necessary. The voters in Webster County made their voices known and want ambulance services and to keep EMS services. We will continue to respond for our communities and continue to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for residents.”