Grand County OKs donation of surplus EMS stretchers, authorizes staff to sign research cooperation after attorney review

The Grand County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 28 directed Grand County EMS to donate surplus Ferno stretchers and approved staff to enter a letter of cooperation with a University of Colorado Boulder research project after review by the county attorney.

Grand County EMS spokesman Austin told the board the department recently upgraded stretchers and loading systems using grant funding and now has six surplus Ferno stretchers. He said Red Rocks Community College requested two for its training program, and the department expects limited interest if they were auctioned. Austin described donation to the college as a training benefit that could help develop future EMS providers who might join Grand County EMS.

Austin said the newer stretchers and loading mechanisms purchased last year cost roughly $80,000 per ambulance (about $40,000 for the stretcher and a similar amount for the loading mechanism). He also said the surplus Ferno units were purchased up to 15 years ago.

Commissioners voted to give EMS direction to donate six stretchers, donating two to Red Rocks Community College and allowing the department to dispose of the remainder “however they feel appropriate.” Austin said the department could also offer the stretchers for auction if desired. A commissioner said, “I support this. It seems like it’s a good use.”

Separately, Austin asked the board to authorize a letter of cooperation for a University of Colorado Boulder student research project that would survey EMS providers about challenges when treating patients who do not speak English. Austin said there would be no operational or financial burden on the county and that participation would be voluntary for providers. The board amended the authorization to require county attorney review of documents and then authorized the EMS chief to sign the letter after that review.

Steve, who provided an update on the county blood program during the EMS report, said the pilot blood-rotation program has been working well: Grand County received two units weekly from Vitalant (referred to in meeting as Vitalon), distributed units to trauma centers within the acceptable window, and had not wasted units in county administration except for one instance tied to supplier scheduling over a holiday. Steve said a unit administered locally the previous day had been used at a Winter Park-area patient.

No dollar figures or contract text beyond the described authorizations were presented to the board at the meeting.