Arlington Welcomes New Reno County EMS Station with Community Open House

EMS Chief Dave JohnstonCommission Chair Ron Hirst

The Reno County EMS Open House for the new Arlington station on Friday afternoon was less a formal ribbon cutting and more a relaxed, come-and-go gathering—an opportunity for community members, partners, and staff to walk through the facility and reflect on what EMS Chief Dave Johnston described as a long-awaited milestone.

Johnston noted that the project has been years in the making, with early discussions dating back to the early 2000s. Now complete, the station represents the result of sustained collaboration between Reno County, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, and the City of Arlington. He specifically recognized Commissioner Ron Hirst for helping move the project forward, along with Mayor Doug Smith and city leadership for welcoming EMS into the community and supporting the process.

“This is a pretty momentous occasion for us. This has been in the works for years and years,” Johnston said.

He also highlighted the many individuals who helped bring the project to completion, including builder Ward Davis and project manager Bill Garretson, who ensured the project stayed on track and within budget. Johnston emphasized the importance of the ongoing partnership between the county and the hospital, including regular coordination, financial transparency, and shared planning to strengthen EMS services in the region.

The event also served as a moment to reflect on Arlington’s EMS history. Johnston encouraged attendees to view a memory book on display, which documents the evolution of emergency services in the community and the transition to a joint hospital-county model over time.

Gratitude was extended to EMS crews for their work in getting the station operational, as well as to EMS Deputy Chief Monika Heller for her leadership in organizing and pushing the project forward. Johnston also thanked the local fire district, which had hosted EMS operations prior to the new station opening, calling it a valuable and supportive partnership.

“We’re just really happy to be here,” Johnston said. “Happy to give you a tour through the facility and show it off a little bit.”

While the open house had a celebratory tone—with tours, refreshments, and community conversation—operations continued as usual. The Arlington station is typically staffed with one EMS unit, supported by two ambulances, including a backup for larger incidents. During the open house event itself, a crew was sent out to respond to a call, underscoring the essential, ongoing role EMS plays in serving the community.

Attendees were invited to explore the new space, meet EMS staff, and celebrate a facility that marks both progress and partnership for emergency services in Arlington and across Reno County.

EMS Chief Dave Johnston