Please reach us at ruralalaskaems@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The current agreement/contract is set to end on March 31, 2025. From April 1st onwards, there is no contract or arrangement in place to provide EMS services in Delta. This interim contract establishes service for the next 12 months until March 31, 2026. This gives the community the chance to develop a long-term sustainable plan that is best for Delta. Effectively, this contract gives the Delta community 12 months to come together and create a long-term sustainable non-profit community-owned ALS EMS service.
It is critical that EMS service in Delta not lapse. Read the question below about what happens if we don’t get an approved contract before March 31, 2025.
RAES was established in 2022 as a non-profit to help fund life-saving EMS in Rural Alaska communities. When DMT first gave notice in January, RAES stepped up and started fundraising for this exact purpose. RAES is involved to secure funding.
Acknowledging that the community is calling for a community-owned non-profit EMS, RAES has been busy developing a plan for one, which will be presented soon.
We are also awaiting the results of the State assessment from Todd McDowell and Aarron Reinert and their teams. This effort was kicked off on March 19, 2025, and they indicated that it would take 4-6 months to complete and provide a recommendation for what a reliable and sustainable EMS service in Delta should look like. Without a contract in place, we would not have the time to receive these expert recommendations. The contract allows us the time to work with the State team and understand the necessary components of a long-term plan.
The cost to continue the current service at the same capacity is $85,404.17 per month for 12 months. The cost of the contract was based on the RFP between the City and DMT back in 2023. DMT agreed to honor the old RFP with the 3% inflationary increase per year. DMT was the lowest bidder with the best proposal and quality of service.
The City holds the burden of the contract and will pay for the majority of the cost. RAES will contribute $15,000 per month every month (17.5%) from its fundraising activities. We anticipate that when the contract is signed, there will be greater confidence in where donations go, and more of the community will donate, along with local businesses and corporate donations. At that point, RAES will increase its monthly contribution up to $39,404.17 (46%).
DMT will continue to provide to the community of Delta Junction the same EMS service that it has done over the last decade.
The contract expires in 12 months, meaning we are tasked with the development and implementation of a long-term solution immediately.
The City will need to dig into its savings to fund this contract for a year. There is not an identified / popular revenue stream that the City can depend on at this point in time to cover the cost or replace the savings.
Delta will no longer have EMS coverage. If a 911 call is made, there will not be an ambulance to respond. Delta residents will need to transport themselves or their friends up to Fairbanks to receive the care they need.
Without lifesaving EMS services for other Emergency Service Providers (i.e. AST, Fire Fighters, & Forestry) as mutual aid in the area, the state may deem it necessary to step in and form a borough to guarantee life-saving services.
If Delta’s community is unable to come together and demonstrate that together we are capable of providing the necessary emergency medical service, it could lead to a need from outside entities (eg. state) to look at extending current boundaries to extend coverage.
Come to the City Council meeting tonight, make your support known; donate through the RAES website (https://emsalaska.org) at the suggested $25/person/month level, and stay tuned for upcoming community meetings as we develop a long-term plan.