18 January 2024
WELLINGTON, Kan. (KSNW) — A lot of emotion from people worried about who will respond to fires and medical calls when EMS and firefighters bring people to the hospital in Wichita, including for non-emergency transport.
Wellington City Council members said they will monitor response times for Wellington Fire/EMS with the staffing that they have now. It’s an issue a new leader at the helm is facing amid skeptics in the community.
“I am so disappointed, I’m embarrassed, of how this gentleman has come into town and for a whole week, I mean, you might as well just tar and feather him,” said Mayor of Wellington, Joe Soria, in response to critics of the new chief.
Tim Robben started his job as fire and EMS chief on Jan. 8, replacing the former chief of ten years, Tim Hay. City Member of Council Rick Roitman said the hire prompted a social media storm, with residents in Wellington raising concerns over staffing issues caused by transport headed to Wichita.
“People in general don’t like change, and he’s a new guy coming into this situation, and they’re a little nervous about what’s going to happen,” said Roitman.
He said he understands why the concerns exist.
“If they are on a transfer, they’re not here to fight a fire or respond to a 911 call, so there’s a balancing act there, and we have to be sensitive to that,” said Roitman.
EMS and Fire Chief Tim Robben said he wants to hire additional staff and look at ways to combat future issues.
“We want to go up to eight per shift. Similar communities like Winfield have eight per shift,” said Robben.
Wellington’s City manager, Jeff Porter, said that adding additional staff will not be an option in the 2024 budget. He added that adding extra positions would create a hefty increase in property taxes.
“We as a community are trying to balance the expenditures of taxpayer funds with trying to provide adequate services with adequate staffing,” said Porter.
Chief Robben recognizes concerns and wants to work with city leaders to find a path forward.
I’m over in Clearwater, but I will be relocating here, and it’s important to me, so everybody has a different opinion on that, but as a community, we need to work together and come to mutual understandings,” said Robben.
He also wants to bring on part-time staff and work with mutual aid partners to bridge the gap.
The city manager said that non-ambulance cars, like vans, are not an option to take people to the hospital in Wichita because the condition of the patient changes during the drive.