Ambulance partnership with Cody Regional Health discussed

WORLAND – The Washakie County Commissioners listened to a proposal from Cody Regional Health (CRH) representatives about a proposal to have CRH take over the ambulance services in Washakie County during a meeting last Thursday, Oct. 29.

The ambulance service is currently a branch of the county, is currently staffed with volunteers except for the director.

The proposal would create a contract between CRH and Washakie County where the county would pay $195,000 a year for three years in order for the service to remain in the county. Currently the budget for the ambulance services in Washakie County costs around $60,000. Staff would be a part of CRH and would be paid for by the hospital.

In the discussions, CRH assured the commissioners that those in need of care would be taken to Washakie Medical Center (WMC) as the closest location and taking patients to Cody would not be beneficial to the service. CRH discussed the importance of transparency and said they would provide a call list each month and what is happening with those calls.

The commissioners discussed the importance of transport to bigger hospitals such as Billings, as the county still has three years on a contract with Guardian Flight for air ambulance services that provide free medical air evacuation flights to other hospitals for Washakie County residents.

CRH already has a contract with South Big Horn County Hospital (now 3 Rivers) and they reported that they have taken less than 3% of the patients up to Cody in the last three years. CRH also discussed how they do not charge for a patient unless they are taken to the hospital.

Ambulance Director Luke Sypherd, along with ambulance services staff, came before the commissioners to discuss the importance of maintaining an active and well-trained staff of emergency medical technicians (EMT). Currently the staff is strictly volunteer-based, with only has one paramedic on hand, Sypherd, to administer certain procedures and drugs.

The staff responds to around 800 to 1,000 calls a year, and is barely able to maintain a group of two crews in order to respond to calls. They worry that if any of them retire or they are injured, then they may miss a call and the ambulance service may be lost overall. The staff also discussed why they believe the change would be beneficial overall to the health and safety of Washakie County residents.

Sypherd said he was in contact with the Ten Sleep Ambulance Services but they wished to remain an individual entity. The commissioners and staff discussed the possibility of bringing the contract up with the City of Worland, and pursuing their help as 95% of the calls are located within the city.

The county expressed concerns due to upcoming budgetary discussions, and were unsure if the county would be able to honor a contract at that price.

The county decided to take the proposal and have it reviewed by County Attorney John Worrall, as well as form a group in order to gain different perspectives on the matter.

OTHER BUSINESS

Washakie County Public Health Nurse Manager Amanda Heinemeyer came before the County Commission to discuss a potential partnership between WCPH and the ambulance department to provide drive-thru COVID-19 testing. Heinemeyer said she wanted to ask to see if the commissioners were OK with it as she had already been given the go-ahead by the state.

Six resolutions regarding Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funding were approved by the commissioners to send to the Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) with hopes the items would be approved by the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) at their Nov. 5 meeting.

Resolution No. 359 was approved in the amount of $164,500 for cleaning items related to COVID-19 to help maintain the jail’s sanitation protocols for the Washakie County Sheriff’s Department. Resolution No. 360 was approved in the amount of $30,000 for critical care transportation equipment for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Resolution No. 361 was approved for technology such as laptops, microphones and a new Geographic Information System (GIS) in the Washakie County Courthouse. Resolution No. 362 was approved in the amount of $70,000 for a new Washakie County Emergency Management vehicle. Resolution No. 363 was approved for $75,000 for COVID-19 related equipment for the EMS. Resolution No. 364 was approved in the amount of $62,000 for a new sheriff’s office vehicle.

These items were approved by the commissioners, but must be seen as viable items related to COVID-19 in order for them to be recommended and approved by the OSLI and the SLIB.

The commissioners discussed with County Planner David Anderson what they intended to do about Lanes 17 1/2 and 18 1/2. The commissioners, along with Anderson, decided they intend to vacate 18 1/2, along with denying the original petition for 17 1/2 while seeking consent from landowners to adopt the road up to the end of the west side of the county property located on the road.

The commissioners are seeking consent in order to adopt the road after they vacate Lane 18 1/2 at their next meeting on Nov. 17.

It was announced that Chairman Commissioner Fred Frandson signed the contract with Groathouse Construction for the new library.

As part of the contract the commissioners had an asbestos test conducted of the building, which led to a discussion regarding other options for flooring should the test come back positive. They discussed that nobody is allowed on site unless it is cleared through Groathouse, and they will be working Monday through Thursday.

Keith Bower of road and bridge reported that 5,000 yards of material had been prepared at the Orchard pit. He reported that the Ten Sleep grater had been leaking oil, and that the Ten Sleep snow plow needed a new edge on it.

The commissioners met on Thursday, Oct. 29, for their early November meeting due to the election on Nov. 3.