Jason Jenkins is the Chief of Miami County EMS in Paola, Kansas. Since he was 17, Jason has been committed to EMS service. Originally from Liberal, Kansas, Jason began his career as a ‘volun-teen’ at his local hospital. After 2000 hours of work on several floors of Southwest Medical Center, he was able to begin riding with his local ambulance company as an EMT. The volunteer opportunity gave Jason enough experience to know he wanted a career in the EMS world.

 

For a time, Jason thought he might become a doctor. His exposure to EMS work began early with his father who was the assistant county fire chief in Liberal.

“Perhaps aspirations to be a doctor combined with exposure to the fire department’s red lights and sirens, produces a paramedic,” says Jason.

Jason remained in Liberal for seven more years as a paramedic, and then moved on to work for the Topeka Board of EMS, where he was an Inspector and Investigator. He later became the Major of Operations for EMS in Topeka, managing 100 employees and 14,000 calls per year. Meanwhile, he was also a flight paramedic for a Kansas helicopter service.

As an inspector of ambulance services, Jason recalls being sent to Paola, Kansas, several years ago to perform his first time inspection of Miami County EMS. He liked the area and it dawned on him then that if something should ever open up in Miami County, he would be interested. 

Not long after, founder of Miami County EMS, Mike Welter, retired after nearly twenty-five years of service to the region. Mike’s position as director opened up and Jason decided to apply. He got the job.

In the three years that Jason has directed Miami County EMS, the service has progressed significantly. At the time of his arrival, Miami County EMS was a Type 2 ambulance service which meant ambulances were manned with EMT’s and sometimes paramedics. Jason and his team have moved to a Type 1 ambulance service with paramedics staffed 24 hours a day. As a full Advanced Life Support (ALS) department, ambulances are now manned with a paramedic on all shifts. 

“It’s been a good transition for the County,” says Jason. “We see it as a continuation of what Mike Welter started.”

In addition, Jason and company started an ‘Explorer Program’ for teens that want to try EMS training and classes as a career option.

“It’s been a successful program with kids as young as sixteen starting EMT classes. Starting at that age means they will be ready to test at 18. 

Miami County EMS has two base locations and three ambulances. Two ALS ambulances are stationed in Paola along with the battalion chief, Jason’s office and their billing center. Louisburg is home to one ALS ambulance along with the deputy chief. The communities served by Miami County EMS include Osawatomie, Louisburg, Paola, Spring Hill, Wellsville, and Fontana.

Another significant change for Jason’s crew members is a working schedule of 48 hours on and 96 hours off. After trying the new schedule for six months, the crews voted to adopt it as a permanent change. Jason says the new schedule is greatly appreciated as it allows employees to spend less time traveling to work and more time with family.

Jason says Miami County EMS is particularly appreciative of LifeFlight Eagle, particularly since the area has become a part of the LifeFlight Eagle service area.

“LifeFlight Eagle dispatchers don’t tell us it will be 20 minutes until the helicopter’s arrival on a scene, and then makes us wait, only to come back and tell us it will be longer. That’s so important to us and specifically to our patients. 

When LifeFlight Eagle says they’ll be there at a given time, they’re there.”

“Once LifeFlight Eagle is on the scene, the flight crew takes control without wasting time and they get the patient in the air and to the hospital fast. That’s what we want,” says Jason.

Jason says his crews are seeing significant results for stroke patients who need a rapid air transport for the stroke reversal procedure.

“Of our last 13 stroke patients, 11 have left the hospital with no side effects. This is a very big deal.”

“Having been a flight paramedic in the past, I know when the job is being done right – and LifeFlight Eagle is making a huge difference in our communities by supporting the patient care objective.”