Worland Council discusses new ambulance entrance

WORLAND — Worland City Council members discussed a proposed new ambulance entrance at Washakie Medical Center during their regular scheduled meeting Tuesday night.

The proposed new entrance is on Howell Avenue at 15th Street between the Worland VA Clinic and Cloud Peak Lighthouse.

Councilperson Mandy Horath said she was concerned about putting an entrance for an ambulance at that location due to its close proximity to South Side Elementary School and a designated crosswalk that crosses South 15th Street at Howell Avenue.

Councilperson Dennis Koch said he has the utmost respect for ambulance personnel, but he is concerned about students using the crosswalk. Students utilize the crosswalk around 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Gard Ferguson with the Worland Ambulance Service told the council that ambulances rarely come into the hospital at high rates of speed. Guard added that ambulances typically stay with the flow of traffic unless paramedics are entering the hospital during a dire situation.

“We’re not going to be coming in hot unless we have a team in the back performing CPR or in another serious situation. Most of our calls are non-emergent,” Ferguson said.

Koch said he was also concerned because during the upcoming renovations at Washakie Medical Center, the helicopter pad will be out of commission, so the ambulance will have to shuttle people up 15th Street from the hospital.

“We already do that now when we have patients on fixed-wing aircraft,” Ferguson said.

Currently the ambulance comes in off of Grace Avenue at 15th Street.

The city transportation safety committee may look into having the ambulance utilize the Grace Avenue. entrance during heavy traffic times for the crosswalk.

Councilperson Jim Gill noted that ambulance personnel exist to help save lives.

“These fellas save lives; they don’t take lives,” Gill said.

The council also approved on first reading an ordinance banning fireworks in city limits. The move came after the council inadvertently approved a measure which eliminated the ordinance. Although the city went through a period without a fireworks ordinance, state statute banned the use of fireworks in municipalities unless otherwise specified.

In a previous meeting, Worland City Attorney Kent Richins said the ordinance cleans up municipal code and allows those in violation of the ordinance to be charged in municipal court. Without the ordinance in effect, those in violation are prosecuted in Washakie County Circuit Court under state statute.

The council must approve the ordinance on two more readings in order to be adopted into city code.