The Kimball Ambulance Service, now under county management, has a new director who will oversee its operations.

Carla Goranson, who grew up in Kimball, was unanimously chosen by the three-member commission board during its regular meeting October 4. Goranson was one of five candidates vying for the Ambulance Service Director position previously held by Jim O’Brien, who operated ambulances under a private contract with the county for over 40 years. His term expires October 31.

Out of the five potential candidates, one withdrew their application. Another candidate was unable to make the interview date, scheduled during a special meeting of the county commissioners September 27. Instead, the commissioners met with three candidates.

Each candidate was interviewed by the commissioners for approximately one hour. O’Brien applied for the position and was selected as one of the candidates interviewed. He said to the commissioners during the October 4 meeting that he would help the new director ease into the new roll during the interim.

“I’m very honored that the commissioners have the confidence in me to continue the great ambulance service that we have,” Goranson said.

Goranson wears many hats in the Kimball community. She has served on the Kimball School Board for six years, is currently active on the Kimball Hospital Board, has managed the public swimming pool, and has worked as a Emergency Medical Technician for 20 years.

The commissioners voted to set the ambulance director’s salary at $37,000 plus benefits. Larry Brower was appointed as primary representative of the commissioners. He will be a direct liaison between the county and Goranson.

The commissioners mutually decided during the special September 27 meeting to go ahead with the assessment of the ambulance service in Kimball County as recommended by Dean Cole, state EMS/Program Administrator for the Department of Health and Human Services. The commissioners are also requesting that Randy Meininger, who operates Valley Ambulance Service in Scottsbluff, be a technical consultant as Kimball County begins its takeover of operations and previously managed by O’Brien on a contract basis.

The board has discussed over the last several months how it was to move forward with the county ambulance service.

“We know that this is a giant step for health care, and in Kimball County, we believe that this challenge can be met,” said Commission Chair David Bashsaw.