November 30, 2022 |
South Central Wyoming EMS wants to expand their roster using quick responders.
As reported by Bigfoot 99 earlier in the month, SCWEMS Board Member Penny Layman visited the Encampment Town Council to ask for a resolution allowing SCWEMS to apply for a Wyoming Department of Health ARPA grant. Encampment wasn’t the only town presented with this request. Stayton Mosbey, the SCWEMS director, explained why.
Pictured above: SCWEMS ambulances. Photo by Matthew Copeland/Bigfoot 99.
As with all organizations that rely on volunteers, SCWEMS’ numbers are dwindling. Emergency medical staffing shortages are a statewide issue. In Sheridan, for instance, EMS was taken over by Campbell County Health, a hospital-based organization. Mosbey said the grant money he requested will be used to attract more recruits by offering free training for Emergency Medical Responders. Mosbey said EMR classes take less time than a traditional EMT education.
Mosbey understands that not everyone is ready to make the commitment necessary to become a full-fledged EMT. The EMR classes will allow people, too busy for EMT training, a chance to help their community. In a medical emergency, time is of the essence. Mosbey said having an EMR available ensures there is always someone with basic medical knowledge in the area to respond to a call.
In a study done with Elk Mountain EMS, Mosbey said, out of a total of 239 calls, only 36% required an ambulance. An EMR could assess a situation and determine if more care is required.
Mosbey said the ARPA grant will be used to provide EMR classes for free.
The ARPA grant will also be used to replace the ambulances in Elk Mountain and Encampment with SUV’s. Called Quick Response Vehicles, Mosbey said the SUV’s will save SCWEMS money.
The bulk of the savings will come from not having to replace expired medication on the ambulances. The QRV’s will only need to contain items an EMR is capable of using.
Mosbey said each SUV will cost $55,000 to purchase. Add another $20,000 to kit each of them out with medical equipment. Mosbey compared that to the cost of a bare-bones ambulance, without any equipment, which can be over $300,000, and require more than a year’s wait time.
SCWEMS was originally asking for a grant of around $165,000. Mosbey said more accurate estimates called for a larger amount of money
Mosbey has received approval from each town and applied for the ARPA grant. He doesn’t expect to hear anything about it for months. Mosbey’s plans aren’t set in stone. If SCWEMS is approved for the money, Mosbey said he would tailor his ideas to the needs of the people.
People don’t have to wait for SCWEMS to receive the grant money if they’re interested in volunteering. Mosbey explained how to let him know you would like to serve.
If SCWEMS receives the ARPA grant they have requested, director Mosbey will put the money to use in two different ways. Whether providing classes for lower tier medical responders or purchasing less expensive equipment, SCWEMS will need more volunteers.
