Rural South Dakota Voters Say ‘Yes’ to New Ambulance District with Overwhelming Support

Voters in rural Davison and Hanson counties overwhelmingly approved the formation of the Davison-Hanson Ambulance District, a major step toward enhancing emergency medical services (EMS) in underserved South Dakota communities.

By Crystal Blue April 24, 2025 11:25 am

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MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Voters in rural Davison and Hanson counties have approved the creation of the Davison-Hanson Ambulance District with a 94.2% majority. The vote, held on Tuesday, aims to address the increasing demand for EMS in areas that are currently underserved. The new district is expected to generate around $700,000 annually through property taxes or special assessments, funding six new EMS personnel and additional equipment to improve response times. Currently, Mitchell Fire and EMS covers over 900 square miles, including these rural regions, but has faced challenges meeting response times due to staffing shortages and rising call volumes. The establishment of the district will ensure consistent and improved EMS coverage for about 7,000 rural residents. A follow-up election to appoint a seven-member board of directors is scheduled for June 17th. For more Government stories from MitchellNow.com, Click Here.

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