Iola will soon divide its fire and ambulance services, in a move to address what city officials have described as a “critical” staffing shortage.
Iola City Council members voted, 4-2, Tuesday to go along with staff recommendations to split the services.
The problem, Fire Chief Corey Isbell and City Administrator Matt Rehder explained, is a dearth of qualified workers willing to provide both firefighting and emergency medical care services.