By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County Veterans Service Officer Robb Emerson informed county commissioners about a Mobile Veterans Center coming to Otter Tail County. The Fargo Veterans Center acquired a mobile van with the purpose of connecting the Vet Center to more rural areas that have limited transportation options for veterans. 

The Mobile Vet Center offers services for veterans, service members and their families at no cost. The Mobile Vet Center will be in Otter Tail County every third Tuesday with plans to stop in a different section of the county each month.

Empowered worker device reuse

County Community Development Director Amy Baldwin, Workforce Navigator Amy Johnson and IT Director Rick Kelsven reviewed the Empowered Worker Program, which supports individuals with barriers to employment. 

Access to reliable technology was identified as a barrier and the team has been working with the County IT Department to secure laptops and cell phones. The county has devices no longer in use that have been wiped clean and scheduled for disposal.

However, instead of disposal, the team plans to utilize those devices that are in good condition to aid individuals within the program. County commissioners approved authorization of the use of county devices such as laptops and cell phones that are no longer used by county employees and can be transferred to the Empowered Worker Program. 

Usage will be by participants to address technology barriers for individuals seeking employment.

Emergency medical grant application

Perham Area EMS Director Rebecca Huebsch, President of the Parkers Prairie Ambulance Mike Lage and Ringdahl EMS General Manager Ken Krupich provided an update to county commissioners on the status of the Sprint Paramedic Pilot Program.

There are a total of seven ambulance services participating in this program covering most of Otter Tail and Grant Counties. Participating ambulance services include Ashby Ambulance, Hoffman Ambulance, Henning Ambulance, Lake Region Ambulance, Parkers Prairie Ambulance, Perham Area EMS and Ringdahl Ambulance.

The pilot program will include a total of three Sprint paramedic vehicles to be staffed and utilized throughout both counties with the intent to increase the timeliness and overall availability of Advanced Life Support EMS care in rural areas.

The program is currently in the design stages with the next step being the submission of the grant application to the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board for the Alternative Emergency Medical Services Response Model Pilot Program.