New ambulances on the way

Ambulances, new and old, were the topic of discussion at the Dec. 9 regular meeting of the South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Service (SCWEMS) Joint Powers Board (JPB).

Ken Drain, chairman of the SCWEMS JPB, reported that two new ambulances are expected for delivery to the Saratoga ambulance garage during the week of Dec. 21. Graphics for the two new rigs were approved at the Dec. 9 meeting. Funding for the new ambulances was obtained through a State Land and Investment Board grant.

Drain also reported that the removal of old ambulances from the fleet will require public notification and auctions. Drain said that SCWEMS currently has nine ambulances, but they would like to pare down to seven ambulances. The extra ambulances raise costs in terms of items that need to be restocked, maintenance and insurance.

“We’re spending thousands of dollars on stocking that we don’t need to do,” Drain said.

The JPB is currently negotiating a schedule that allows for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to be available for all shifts covered in the Platte Valley. According to Drain, all of the EMTs based out of Saratoga have day jobs, while the south end of the Platte Valley usually has an EMT available during the day. The SCWEMS JPB is trying to formalize a schedule that has a south side EMT available to Saratoga.

The SCWEMS JPB also announced that they will begin training and classes oriented toward gaining more volunteers for the service starting in February. “We need help, we need more volunteers,” Drain said, noting that drivers only need a minimal amount of training. According to Drain, it appears that SCWEMS is suffering from a time when people are having to work more at their paid positions and have less time to volunteer.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the SCWEMS JPB is at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 13 at the Saratoga ambulance garage.