The Oglala Sioux Tribe is taking precautionary measures ahead of a planned walkout by members of the tribe’s ambulance service at midnight Saturday. 

The Tribal Council is asking the federal Indian Health Service to handle emergency services if the walkout occurs. 

Members of the tribe’s ambulance service say they are understaffed, underpaid and working under difficult conditions.  

The gave the tribe’s leadership a list of 15 demands including a $10 pay increase across the board. A basic emergency medical technician is currently paid $8.89 per hour. Other requests include cost-of-living allowances, repairs and adequate supplies.  

There are less then 20 employees responding to hundreds of calls spanning 2 million acres of the Pine Ridge Reservation. 

President Kevin Killer says the tribe is working with the ambulance service leadership to find solutions.