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Grand County EMS seeks state emergency grant for refurbished cardiac monitor and outlines capital plan including ambulances and COP payments
Summary
County EMS requested authority to pursue a CDPHE emergency grant to replace a failed cardiac monitor, outlined a longer-term capital plan for ambulance replacements and personal protective equipment, and discussed COP payments for Station 1.
Grand County Emergency Medical Services received approval from the Board of County Commissioners to pursue a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) emergency grant to replace a failed refurbished cardiac monitor-defibrillator and discussed the department’s broader capital needs, including ambulance replacements, personal protective equipment and long-term COP payments for Station 1.
Chief Wingate of Grand County EMS told commissioners that a first-generation cardiac monitor-defibrillator had failed and that a refurbished replacement would cost $19,237.19. He asked the board to authorize pursuit of a 50% match from the state emergency grant program to reduce the county’s share to about $9,618.60 and requested that the chair attest to the grant application. The board passed a motion authorizing the chief to submit the CDPHE EMS emergency grant application and allowing the chair to attest and sign documents.
Why it matters: EMS described the monitors as advanced systems capable of 12-lead monitoring, defibrillation and transmittal to consulting physicians — equipment that helps field clinicians manage cardiac emergencies and coordinate with hospitals. Chief Wingate said new units cost $40,000–$50,000 new and that the refurbished quote was a cost-effective interim purchase.
Beyond the grant request, EMS staff described planned capital activity for 2026, including phased replacement of command-staff portable radios, an equipment refresh for personal protective gear for crews operating at motor-vehicle crash scenes and the scheduled replacement of two 2020 ambulance panels (transit chassis) later in 2026. The department said the transit ambulances have shown higher maintenance burden and off-road recovery needs compared with Type I box ambulances and that lead times for new chassis have shortened but remain subject to supply-chain and labor constraints.
Commissioners and county staff also discussed the county’s long-term financing responsibility for Station 1 construction. EMS confirmed the department expects to begin making a COP repayment contribution (a planned $500,000 annual EMS contribution toward the county’s COP payment) in 2026 and said staff will continue pursuing grant funds to offset purchases where possible.
What the board voted: The board approved a motion authorizing Chief Wingate to pursue the CDPHE emergency grant for the refurbished monitor and allowed the chair to attest and sign the grant attestation and related documents.
Next steps: EMS will submit the CDPHE application, pursue other grants for PPE and monitor replacements where feasible, and continue staff-level work on financing and scheduling ambulance replacements and Station 1 operating costs. Commissioners and county finance staff said they are reviewing five-year projections that include the COP repayments and capital schedules.
