Thank you for taking the time to participate in this survey.
Your feedback will play a vital role in shaping the future of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Washakie County.
Your feedback will play a vital role in shaping the future of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Washakie County.
Survey results will be shared with the public; however, your individual responses will remain confidential.
Before you begin, please take a moment to review the following information about EMS services and how they currently operate in our county.
Understanding EMS: Advanced Life Support (ALS) vs. Basic Life Support (BLS)
The key difference between ALS and BLS comes down to crew training and the level of care they can provide.
1. Basic Life Support (BLS)
Think: Stabilize and transport without invasive procedures
Think: Stabilize and transport without invasive procedures
Crew: Usually 1 or 2 EMT-Basics or an EMT-Advanced (EMT-Basics have about 200 hours of education; Advanced EMT is a second class of 140-250 hours)
Capabilities include:
-CPR and basic airway management (oxygen, bag-valve-mask)
-Bleeding control
-Splinting broken bones
-Using an AED (automated external defibrillator)
-Assisting with certain patient-prescribed medications (like an inhaler or EpiPen)
-Transporting stable patients or those with non-life-threatening conditions
-12 lead EKG transmitted to the hospital for interpretation
-Advanced airway management using supraglottic airways
-IV/IO access for fluids
2. Advanced Life Support (ALS)
Think: Bringing the ER to the patient
Crew: At least one paramedic, often with an EMT partner (paramedics have about 2,000 hours of education)
Capabilities include all BLS skills, plus:
-Advanced airway management (intubation, ventilators, supraglottic airways)
-IV/IO access for fluids and medications
-Cardiac monitoring and 12-lead ECG interpretation
-Manual defibrillation, pacing, cardioversion
-Administering a wide range of emergency medications (such as IV pumps and medication drips)
-Advanced trauma care and management of critical medical emergencies
Capabilities include all BLS skills, plus:
-Advanced airway management (intubation, ventilators, supraglottic airways)
-IV/IO access for fluids and medications
-Cardiac monitoring and 12-lead ECG interpretation
-Manual defibrillation, pacing, cardioversion
-Administering a wide range of emergency medications (such as IV pumps and medication drips)
-Advanced trauma care and management of critical medical emergencies
-Ability to transport almost all patients from one hospital to another for higher levels of care.
EMS in Washakie County Today
Worland Area Ambulance Service:
Before 2021: County-run, mostly volunteer EMTs, on-call (not staffed 24/7), mostly BLS with occasional ALS care
Before 2021: County-run, mostly volunteer EMTs, on-call (not staffed 24/7), mostly BLS with occasional ALS care
Since 2021: County contracts with Cody Regional Health EMS.
Service Level: Advanced Life Support (ALS)
Staffing: Crews on duty 24/7/365
Call Volume: About 1,000 calls annually in Washakie County
Coverage: Worland area; assists Ten Sleep when needed
Cost: $35,000 per month
Service Level: Advanced Life Support (ALS)
Staffing: Crews on duty 24/7/365
Call Volume: About 1,000 calls annually in Washakie County
Coverage: Worland area; assists Ten Sleep when needed
Cost: $35,000 per month
Funding Source: Washakie County (The funds used by Washakie County to pay for EMS are temporary - they will only partially cover FY 25-26. )
Ten Sleep Area Ambulance Service:
Service Level: Basic Life Support (BLS), with some ALS
Staffing: 100% volunteer-based, on-call (not on duty)
Call Volume: About 110 calls each year
Call Volume: About 110 calls each year
Coverage: Ten Sleep area including the Bighorn Mountains.
Funding: Primarily from call revenue and support from the Town of Ten Sleep.
By understanding how EMS works and the current state of services in Washakie County, your feedback can help guide important decisions about the future of emergency care in our community.
By understanding how EMS works and the current state of services in Washakie County, your feedback can help guide important decisions about the future of emergency care in our community.