Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ems Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Castle Rock reports lower call volume and staffing gains, requests $1.7M subsidy; county seeks more data
Summary
Castle Rock Ambulance presented its quarterly report July 7, saying 9-1-1 call levels eased slightly, overtime decreased, staffing rose to 34 employees, a new ambulance is being procured, and a new ambulance barn is under construction. The provider requested a $1.7 million county subsidy for the coming year; commissioners asked for detailed financials and response-time data.
Castle Rock Ambulance representatives updated the Sweetwater County commissioners on operations and finances July 7, reporting modest declines in call volume, improved overtime management, and plans for facilities and equipment investments while requesting a county subsidy for the coming year.
CEO Bailey Doctor told the board last quarter’s 9-1-1 call volume across the county was 1,287 calls; she said the service’s daily average slipped from about 7 calls per day last year to roughly 6.25 this year. Castle Rock is staffing three ambulances during most hours (two in Rock Springs, one in Green River) and maintains two at night. Doctor said staffing has increased to 34 employees (17 full-time, 4 part-time, 13 PRN) with 14 advanced providers (eight paramedics). She said overtime was reduced through scheduling adjustments.
Doctor recapped capital items: the purchase of a new ambulance is underway, and an 8,000-square-foot ambulance barn on Gateway is under construction, on schedule and budget with an anticipated move-in this November. Castle Rock will apply for funds from the Rural Health Transformation Fund and expects a smaller award this year due to application constraints; staff will continue to pursue future funding rounds.
On county support, Doctor said Castle Rock asked the county for a $1.7 million subsidy for the next fiscal period (a $100,000 reduction from the contract maximum). Commissioners pressed for more detail: Commissioner Jones asked for earlier delivery of financial and call-detail reports in the meeting packet, and Commissioner Slaughter requested response-time data and a staff briefing to ensure consistent interpretation of state reporting. Doctor agreed to provide more granular financial statements, call volumes and response-time extracts for the board and public.
The board thanked Castle Rock for the update and congratulated interim ambulance director Jenny Magagna for stepping into supervisory duties; no action or vote on subsidy changes occurred at the meeting.
