South Central Wyoming residents often prefer the benefits of the rural life. But the wide open spaces do provide some challenges for residents. Receiving adequate emergency care to your house is not always a simple as it needs to be in rural areas.
But one local group is helping to bridge that gap between sufficient emergency health care and small town life.
They call themselves the South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Service (SCWEMS) and they have been helping Carbon County towns since 2009.
The SCWEMS, which was founded by volunteers, covers a large portion of Carbon County.
“A study from the state (of Wyoming) said there was not enough emergency medical coverage in this area,” Bill Dahlke of SCWEMS and Saratoga resident said. Dahlke claimed that they pitched the idea and it was approved by the county.
Funding for SCWEMS comes from the Carbon County Commissioners, fees charged for services, and from participating towns. The participating towns include Elk Mountain, Encampment, Medicine Bow, Hanna and Saratoga. They have responded to more than 1,600 calls over the years
As SCWEMS have provided for these Carbon County communities for several years, they are now in need of help from the people they serve.
Lack of funding presents challenges to SCWEMS as they depend largely on volunteers.
“We don’t have the amount of staff we would like,” Dahlke said.
SCWEMS is currently looking for volunteers. There is no prior medical background necessary for any applicants, however volunteers must pass the correct certification before becoming an EMT. There will be classes available for training.
SCWEMS is looking for ambulance drivers, EMTs, nurses and doctors to volunteer.
If you wish to provide great emergency medical care to people in rural areas, please call Mark Kostovny at 307-329-8339 or Bill Dahlke at 307-329-8005.
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