Dear Editor,

In response to the July 19 article titled, “No response to Wetmore Emergency,” I would like to provide more facts in this particular call.

It is correct that Custer County EMS (CCEMS) was called to provide service in Wetmore. (an area that has never been a primary call area for CCEMS)

It is correct that a second  CCEMS crew was called. The reason a second crew is called is to ensure that the primary service area (the West Custer County Hospital District) has a crew to respond to its service area.

It is correct that a  second CCEMS crew was not available.

It is correct that Custer County dispatch called AMR out of Canon City/Pueblo respond to this call.

It is correct that like CCEMS, AMR also did not have the crew availability to provide service outside their primary call service area.

It is not correct that “all the while the ambulance crew up the mountain went back to sleep.”

AMR has a contract with the city of Pueblo and the city of Canon City to provide services to the community, much like Custer County EMS has with the residents of the West Custer County Hospital District. At a time we should be collaborating and working together to solve this challenge of providing care to an area in need, I would request that in the future all of the facts are obtained before an article is published.

As always I encourage questions or comments. Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Drew, RN, BSN, MSN
Executive Director
West Custer County Hospital District