CLIMBING HILL, Iowa (KCAU) — With low volunteer numbers, first responders in rural Iowa are struggling to respond quickly to fire and medical emergencies.

"Rural departments are part of that national trend that's been going on for several years," said Director of Woodbury County Emergency Services Drew Baier. "Due to the decline of volunteers or the decline of the resource pool from the communities."

With the drastic decline, it's become a rising concern after response times in some communities outside of Sioux City find themselves waiting more than 20 to 30 minutes for help.

Woodbury County Supervisor Mark Nelson recently spoke on rural ambulances and why response times are so long.

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