Adams County EMS investigates missed coverage after Manchester squad failed to notify 911; personnel changes approved

Adams County EMS Chief Dusty McCleese told the commissioners Dec. 8 that the service ran 106 calls for the week and is investigating a complaint stemming from an apparent failure by Manchester EMS to notify 911 that its squad could not cover a call. Chief McCleese said the initial 911 call was received and Manchester was dispatched; when Manchester did not respond, Adams County EMS was dispatched 12 minutes after the initial call, delaying care by 26 minutes.

"Manchester EMS failed to notify 911 of no coverage delaying the notice time to Adams County EMS," Chief McCleese reported to the board, which he said prompted his investigation into the incident.

The board approved several EMS personnel motions. By Resolution No. 2025-514, the commissioners changed the status of Blake Swayne from full-time Basic EMT to part-time Basic EMT effective Dec. 8, 2025; by Resolution No. 2025-515 they approved changing Braxton Richmond from part-time Basic EMT to full-time Basic EMT effective Dec. 2, 2025. All personnel motions passed on unanimous roll-call votes.

The board also authorized Chief McCleese to sign vendor contracts to support EMS operations. Resolution No. 2025-516 authorizes signature on the Medicount Management, Inc. contract; Resolution No. 2025-517 authorized signature on the Airgas contract. Each authorization passed unanimously.

The chief’s account of delayed notification places the incident under review; the transcript records no formal response from Manchester EMS in the meeting minutes.