Volunteer shortage hurting SCWEMS

The South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) board met on January 18 in Medicine Bow and, according to Director Melissa Sikes and North District Supervisor Shana Romero, the topic that got the most attention was the difficulty in getting volunteers.

Besides the problem of not having enough volunteers Sikes said SCWEMS discussed the building addition in Saratoga.

Volunteers

"We are looking at possibly getting some more full-time people to help out because our volunteer force almost all have jobs," Sikes said. "It can be difficult for people to leave their jobs, although some employers are understanding."

Sikes said the volunteer system is essential for the SCWEMS model to succeed.

"We get payments from every entity involved and it is based on population, including the county, and then we bill patients and get Medicare and that is how pay for it," Sikes said. "Our model works as long as we have volunteers, but it is getting harder and harder to find volunteers."

Sikes understands the struggle to juggle volunteerism and a job because she did it herself. She has been with SCWEMS since 2010.

"I started as a basic and then I was on the board as treasurer for three years, and then when the assistant director position became open, I left the board and took it," Sikes said. "I held it for a year and a half. Then the director position became open and I took it."

Along with volunteers being hard to find, costs are rising.

"We just had a situation where Verizon just shut off all their 3G, so none of our modems on our life packs are working any more," Sikes said. "We can't transmit vitals like EKGs to the hospital, can't transmit any of that stuff for our reports."

According to Romero and Sikes, Verizon did the shutdown without any warning.

"They didn't tell anyone they were doing it," Romero said.

"One day we found we couldn't transmit," Sikes said.

"It's just not us," Romero said. "All EMS across the state was effected."

Sikes said it won't be cheap to replace the current modems.

"The replacement modems are $964 a piece and now they are charging $299 a year per modem for data in order to transmit," Sikes said. "It will be about $6,000 for us to replace all of ours. I am looking at grant options to facilitate the replacements."

She said it is a real problem because doctors don't have any idea what condition a patient is in before coming to the hospital or even if the patient should be coming to that particular medical facility.

Sikes said this happened a few weeks back and the organization is doing the best they can.

"The board did approve for us to get four modems, but it is still a hardship and it costs money not anticipated," Romero said. "It was definitely a hard hit."

Sikes said she appreciates the volunteers that are in SCWEMS but only one does not have a full time job.

"If you are talking EMTs, I only have one that doesn't have a full time job because he is retired."

Sikes said there are 18 EMTs in SCWEMS and 11 are in the Valley while the rest are in the north. There are two drivers in the Valley.

That leaves seven to cover an area that goes to the Natrona County line on WY 487, US 30 to the Albany County line and the Interstate from Albany County line to Walcott Junction. Sikes said, all told, SCWEMS covers almost 10,000 square miles with 18 EMTs.

"We get drivers from the Fire Department when we can't do it ourselves," Sikes said. "They are great about helping us."

"You had a driver from the Fire Department yesterday (January 28) when you went to Saratoga," Romero said. "They didn't have anyone available from the Valley."

"Everyone was at work," Sikes said. "I understand and I don't want anyone to think that the Valley does not pull their weight. I was available to go when others couldn't."

Sikes appreciates there are not many certified EMTs in the area and it is not easy to become a volunteer.

"There are not a lot of people able to give up five months of their lives to take the class, even though we pay for it," Sikes said. "It is at least two nights a week and you are required to do Saturdays for hands on training."

"It may not be for everybody," Romero said. "But it is not just about the medical situation, it can be about just being there helping a person get through a trying moment or situation."

Romero said she came to SCWEMS in 2019 and it felt like a natural fit for her. The same for being a supervisor. She is taking advanced training for EMTs now.

Sikes said, after the five months training, there is a psychomotor exam followed by the national registry test. Then the license is given and there is training for SCWEMS protocols.

"We have to re-certify every two years," Romero said. "We provide continuing education."

Sikes said the fire departments and law enforcement personnel all work well together.

"I think that is a huge thing," Romero said. "We have to all be one big family to work together well."

Sikes said many people are surprised to learn SCWEMS was not set up as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

"It means we aren't qualified to apply for most grants," Sikes said. "It truly means we depend on the people of the communities to make this model work, because it is not a mandated service.

Both Romero and Sikes are hopeful, as time goes by, residents from the SCWEMS coverage area will understand there must be more volunteers who are willing to make a difference to help keep the communities safe from medical emergencies.

Saratoga Ambulance Barn

"It is sort of on hold the spring," Sikes said. "They aren't sending out bids right now because they are making changes and the engineer wanted a budget increase, so the board is looking at that."

Sikes said SCWEMS is still looking for a Southern District Supervisor.

"Shana and I interviewed three prospective candidates and the board decided they want to ask more questions, so they formed an interview committee," Sikes said. "It is a priority of SCWEMS to get this supervisory position filled."