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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
County Board Passes New Ambulance Service Plan
The Multnomah County Board has approved a new ambulance service plan, addressing emergency medical services across the region. The decision was made during a county board meeting on Thursday, with the measure passing in a 3-2 vote despite notable concerns from some officials regarding equity in emergency response times.
Urban and Rural Response Times Differ Under New Plan
Under the recently adopted Multnomah County Ambulance Service Plan, response time standards vary depending on location. Residents of urban zones such as Portland and Gresham can expect ambulances to arrive within eight minutes or less in 90% of cases. By contrast, those living in smaller, outlying cities such as Wood Village, Troutdale, and Fairview will see a standard response time of up to 15 minutes in 90% of cases.
Community Leaders Express Disappointment
Greg Dirks, city manager of Wood Village, described the county’s new plan as disappointing. Dirks noted that leaders in East County have spent years advocating for steady response times in their communities, particularly during periods marked by paramedic shortages and EMS staffing crises.
“Disappointing isn’t the big enough word,” Dirks said. He referenced past incidents where ‘level zero response’ left no ambulances available and forced some residents to wait 20, 30, or even 40 minutes for help, or drive themselves to the hospital. Dirks also said his team encountered difficulties working with the county to address their concerns, stating, “It just felt like there was just a wall that we couldn’t breach.”
County Commissioners Acknowledge Equity Concerns
The board meeting saw commissioners debate the plan’s fairness. Commissioner Meghan Moyer stated, “I don’t like this plan. I mean, I’ve been really honest with you; I don’t think it’s equitable. I don’t think it’s what anybody in our community wants.” Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon added, “It’s inequitable, it’s wrong, and I’ll just leave it at that. We could agree to disagree.”
Despite this pushback, the slim majority voted to approve the plan, citing the need for continued improvements. Commissioner Shannon Singleton voiced the board's intent to address concerns, saying, “I do think there’s a lot more work to do, but I do think that that’s work that we can do together as part of the next steps.”
Ongoing Efforts and Next Steps
Although the plan’s passage marks a formal change in Multnomah County’s ambulance service standards, officials like Dirks remain committed to finding solutions for underserved communities. The board also expressed a willingness to revisit and refine the new standards as further feedback and data become available.
Background: Challenges in Emergency Medical Services
The issue of ambulance response times has been long-standing in the county, compounded by department understaffing and a continuing paramedic shortage. As the county implements the new plan, leaders and community advocates are expected to monitor its impacts closely and advocate for adjustments to address equity and efficacy.
Source: koin.com.
