MAILING ADDRESS:
Arkansas Valley Ambulance
P.O. Box 210
Cotopaxi, CO 81223
PHONE:
Local Message Line: (719) 942-4674
Long Distance: 1-866-352-6351
Chairman of the Board: (719) 276-9039
AVA Member: (719) 942-3423
(Emergency medical calls come through 911.)
MISSION:
Arkansas Valley Ambulance (aka AVA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving all citizens and travelers throughout western Fremont County by responding to medical emergency calls to treat and transport sick and injured patients. We train EMTs and drivers to carry out the mission of the ambulance service and support the community health and welfare.
GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND POPULATION SERVED:
Our rural service area is large, encompassing 550 square miles of western Fremont County. This includes a very busy stretch of Highway 50, which is the third most used east-west corridor in the State, including over 43 miles of this two-lane U.S. Highway 50 with a disproportionate number of tourist and truck traffic and motor vehicle accidents, from Parkdale to the Chaffee County line.
From north to south, our service area reaches from 20 miles north of the town of Cotopaxi south to the Custer County line. This encompasses the entire Cotopaxi School District, grades K through 12.
There are about 5,000 year round residents in our service area and an untold number of tourists and visitors every year who frequent our area for hiking, rafting, ATV and horseback riding and the like.
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
Arkansas Valley Ambulance was incorporated in 1982 under the name of RAMROD. In 1999, the name was changed to Arkansas Valley Ambulance. Our legal name remains
"RAMROD, Inc. dba Arkansas Valley Ambulance".
We receive no tax money and many of our patients are uninsured. Nevertheless, we have managed to maintain the vision and dedication needed to keep two ambulances running, stocked, manned, and insured for the past 29 years.
IMPORTANT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:
In July, 2011, we received a $70,013 grant award from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (EDPHE) to purchase two new state-of-the-art LifePak defibrillators, transport ventilators, and several safety items to raise the quality of care to our rural patients.
New radios, pagers and repeater equipment have allowed us to make improvements in communications between the ambulance service and Salida Dispatch.
Safety for the patients and the volunteer EMTs and drivers was another component of the grant monies awarded. Restraining devices for patient being rescued and transported, carbon monoxide detectors and Insta-Chains were also purchased.
We're proud to announce that matching funds for this grant were raised with donations from our generous community residents. Thanks, everyone!
OUR FUTURE GOALS:
- Training - To offer more medical training to our active EMTs and to provide opportunities to local residents who would like to enter the EMT field and serve the members of this community. To train more ambulance drivers.
- Equipment - To upgrade our older medical equipment and to increase the capabilities of our service by stocking both ambulances with Advanced Life Support equipment.
- Staffing - To have at least one paid full-time EMT working for our service.
- Housing - To have a building in the center of our service area to house our ambulances and provide a central place for our EMTs and drivers who are on-call.
CURRENT PROGRAMS:
Our main program has always been to treat and transport sick and injured patients to the nearest hospital -- either Canon City or Salida. We also transport patients from one hospital to another, when requested.
All of our sub-programs, such as EMT and driver training, contribute to our main mission of providing emergency service and improving our medical and transport capabilities.
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COLLABORATIONS:
This is just a partial list of people and organizations we work with on a regular basis:
- Dr. Vince Stack - Our Physician Adviser, Dr. Stack, is a family practice doctor at Salida Family Medicine, Salida, Colorado.
- Chaffee County Combined Communications Center - Dispatches AVA's emergency calls 365/24/7.
- RETAC - Regional Emergency Medical Trauma Advisory Councils. AVA belongs to the Southern Colorado RETAC group along with agencies from 4 other counties.
- Cotopaxi Fire Rescue - AVA works with this volunteer fire department during emergencies such as fires with injuries within their service area and accidents on the highway.
- Deer Mountain Volunteer Fire Department - Helps us locate patients' residents, lift patients into the ambulance, plow snow so we can get through. We remain on call or on scene during fires in their fire district.
- Howard Fire Department - Allows us to park our western ambulance in their fire station (40 miles west of our eastern ambulance in the Deer Mountain area) and use their electricity whenever needed. We remain on call or on scene during fires in Howard. They also invite us to participate in their large annual fundraising event in order to raise money for our service.
- Fremont County Sheriff's Department and the State Patrol - Assists us with potential violent
patients and suicide attempts. Calls us to scenes of car accidents and for missing persons searches.
- Flight for Life out of Saint Mary Corwin Hospital in Pueblo - Transports our more critical patients in their helicopter when it's advantageous to the patient's life and health.
- Saint Thomas More Hospital in Canon City and Heart of the Rockies Hospital in Salida - Both hospitals receives our patients in their emergency rooms.
- The Cotopaxi School District - Our ambulance is on scene for their football games in case of injury. They provide us with a meeting or training place when we need it.
AVA, Flight for Life and Wet Mountain Fire Department Working Together
INCLUSIVENESS:
We're proud that our organization serves anyone with a medical emergency that can benefit from our expertise, equipment and transportation capabilities. We never discriminate or refuse treatment/transport on the basis of race, creed, age, place of residence, income level, or any other factor.
We also respond on a mutual-aid basis to fire, ambulance, search and rescue, police and other emergency services located outside our regular service area when our help is requested.
ROLL OF VOLUNTEERS:
Without volunteer service and in-kind donations, our service would no longer exist.
Starting at the top, our Physician Adviser, which we must have in order to operate our ambulance service, is a doctor with Regional Medical Center in Salida. He donates his services to oversee the medical aspects of our program, conducts training regarding new emergency medical procedures, and gives advice to our Ambulance Supervisor and EMTs.
The EMTs are the life-blood of our operation. Our EMTs are available over 7,000 hours a year, either responding to emergency calls or "on-call".
Drivers, some of whom are professional drivers. Like the EMTs, they are on the schedule for 12 hour shifts both day and night. They are not only responsible for driving and helping to lift patients, they are required to keep the ambulance clean, inside and out, for the sake of the welfare of the patients. Just like the EMTs, they are handling emergency calls or are on-call over 7,000 hours a year.
Our Maintenance Supervisor and Station Supervisors and their crews volunteer a great deal of time and expertise. All of our ambulances must be kept in excellent running condition. These crews can easily spend 24 hours a month maintaining the ambulances. The estimated donated maintenance hours come to about 300 hours a year.
Read the Volunteer To-Do List - The Dozens of Ways You Can Help Out
Use the backarrow to return to this page.
YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN:
Who are the people who keep this nonprofit, neighborhood ambulance service running? ...People just like you -- your neighbors and friends -- folks who live in the western Fremont County area...
Without people like you, these life-saving services would come to a halt!
There are many countless ways YOU can join in to keep your ambulance service going:
- If you're "medically-minded", you can take our EMT course and discover one of the most satisfying and fulfilling jobs on earth.
- Are you a good driver? If so, take our driver-training class and join our team of ambulance drivers.
- If you're good with a computer, doing research or proof reading, we have need for your talents.
- We need folks who can put on fundraisers or help raise funds in a variety of ways.
- Perhaps you're willing to put your hobbies or past career skills to work with us to save lives. You tell us what you've done and we'll show you how it can help people who really need it.
- Or consider a financial donation to make sure an ambulance is available when it's needed -- for you or someone you love.
The need for YOUR help is URGENT...In fact, it's a matter of life or death.
"Far and away, the best prize that life offers
is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."
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-- Theodore Roosevelt
HOW OUR ORGANIZATION IS GOVERNED:
AVA has a 5 member Board of Directors; Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Operations Director, and Support Services Director. The Treasurer has the assistance of a professional bookkeeper. Board Members serve for a staggered 2 year term.
Our governing documents are our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, Title 7 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, our IRS 501(c)(3) rules, State requirements governing ambulance services, and our AVA Protocols for EMTs and Drivers.
To see some of our documents and protocols, you can visit our
Documents Page.
LIST OF CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
1. Glenda Steuert, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Board Member since July 2009. Glenda has previously served on several nonprofit boards as treasurer. She recently retired after working 10-plus years as the HR / benefits and payroll technician for the City of Woodland Park. She has experience with medical and life insurances, payroll taxes, and other personnel issues. She has taken public sector accounting classes given by CGFOA (Colorado Government Financial Officers Association) and courses from the American Institute of Banking in reading and analyzing financial statements. Prior to that, she worked for the 2nd largest CPA firm in the Denver Metro area, doing all accounting and payroll for the firm and monthly accounting for the firm’s clients. She has been an Administrative Assistant, in charge of an office and she has owned her own small business.
Glenda lives in Texas Creek.
2. Sarah Killough, Finance Director
Board member since August 2008. Sarah has a Bachelor of Science from North Texas State University, with additional hours in both Accounting and Computers. She taught high school Math and Computers for thirty-four years and is now retired. She served as treasurer for the National Honor Society, the women’s society of her church, and the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and has accomplished other volunteer work for the National Honor Society, Red Cross, Girl Scouts of America, her church, the Red Suspenders organization, and a school for the mentally handicapped.
Sarah lives in Cotopaxi, Colorado.
3. Diane Hiebert, Secretary
Board member since May 2012. Diane recently moved to Coaldale after spending the past 30 years in the Northern Virginia area. She is a registered nurse with her master of science degree in nursing. She most recently was employed for 14 years as a clinic coordinator at Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads, a CCRC with over 300 residents. She has her ANCC certification in geriatric nursing. She has served on the Annandale High School Athletic Booster Board as vice president. She is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Salida and is in the Noteables in Salida.
Diane lives in Coaldale, Colorado.
4.Jay DeMay, Support Services Director/EMT
Board member since January 2011. Jay joined AVA in March 2010. He has a background in law enforcement since 1974 and served the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in California as a deputy and Search and Rescue division member, trained in advanced first aid, CPR, swift water rescue and high angle recovery. He trained police officers in self defense and baton techniques at Golden West College in Westminster, CA in their Police Science and Police Academy programs and co-authored 2 college level syllabuses in Self Defense and Baton Techniques for the Police Science Institute. He has owned and operated three successful businesses in three states. Currently, he is an ordained minister and pastor of Hoof Beats Cowboy Fellowship. He also runs an equestrian center for unwanted horses and youth.
Jay is certified as an NREMT (Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician), Certified CO State EMT-B-IV, American Heart Associan – ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certified, BLS (Basic Life Support) for Health care Provider CPR/AED, Pre-hospital Stroke Care and FEMA – ICS 100, 700 NIMS (National Incident Management System).
His goals for AVA are to see it grow into one of the finest EMS providers anywhere and to find newer, better and more efficient ways to serve the residents of western Fremont County.
Jay lives in Coaldale, Colorado.
5. Jason Sando, Operations Director/EMT
He has been in EMS since early 2007 and recently moved to the area from Florida where he worked for a large ambulance company and climbed the ladder from EMT, Lead Crewmember, Field Training Officer, Assistant Supervisor, to EMS Field Supervisor. He was responsible for supervising a roster of 200 crew members including Paramedics, EMT’s, and First Responders during 70,000 transports per year. During this time he was also a volunteer Firefighter II/EMT for the County Fire Department.
He is currently taking a course to become a Certified Fitness Trainer through (ISSA). In the next year, he is scheduled to train as a Whitewater Rafting Guide with a local rafting company, become certified in swift water rescue, and begin school for his EMT-I, and then Paramedic.
Jason is certified as an NREMT (Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician), FL & CO State EMT-B (Basic Emergency Medical Technician), FL State Firefighter I/II, National Board Firefighter I/II, AHA – ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), BLS (Basic Life Support) for Healthcare Provider CPR/AED, Stroke Pre-hospital Care & NIHSS, CEVO driving Instructor, EVOC, FEMA – ICS 100, 200, 700 NIMS (National Incident Management System), IS-804, 808, 809.
Jason lives in Cotopaxi Colorado.
KEY MEMBERS:
Emergency Medical Technicians - Arkansas Valley Ambulance service has basic and advanced EMTs. All are certified and experienced and take continuing education classes every year. Several are taking optional courses to advance to the next level.
Ambulance Drivers -- Arkansas Valley Ambulance service has several professional drivers on staff. These include tractor trailer drivers and a retired bus driver from a large major city.
Donna Nordberg, Bookkeeper
Associate of Applied Science degree in Physical Therapy earned Cum Laude from Northern Virginia Community College. After 16 years practical experience in bookkeeping and management earned bookkeeping certification through American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers in 2005 as well as certification as an Advanced QuickBooks Pro Advisor. Started successful bookkeeping practice in 2005 which continues to be in operation. Served as Arkansas Valley Ambulance Board Member from June 2006 to February 2008 in capacity of Finance Director and continues keeping their books. Donna lives in Cotopaxi, Colorado.
Skip Moreau -- AVA's Communications Officer since 2008
FCC licensed technician.
Has performed communications repair work for 2 volunteer fire departments.
Certified Wilderness-EMT and instructor.
American Red Cross advanced first-aid instructor and AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator) instructor, qualified in CPR/AED adult, child and infant CPR.
SCBA dive master, qualified in Level 1 swift water rescue.
Driver and VFIS driving instructor for Arkansas Valley Ambulance Service.
Communications Supervisor for the Deer Mountain Fire Protection District.
Wildland firefighter type-2.
NIMS 100, 200, and 700 qualified.
Pilot and parachute jumping instructor.
Highly decorated veteran.
Successful business owner of a dispatch/ alarm company.
Past president for the Florence Senior Citizen Council on Aging.
Skip lives in Cotopaxi, Colorado.
Terry Hiebert -- Purchasing/Inventory Supervisor since 2011
Terry retired after 30 years as a pharmaceutical rep and 10 years as a high school baseball coach to move from Northern Virginia to the Coaldale area with his wife Diane. Attained Certified Medical Representative degree while employed with Berlex Laboratories/Bayer Healthcare. Previous community service included being a member of the Annandale High School Athletic Boosters, Vice President and Boys Commissioner of Turnpike Basketball Club, Vice President and Commissioner for Falls Church/Annandale Babe Ruth at different age levels, current member of the Board of Visitors for Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, previous service as Secretary, Vice President, President, and Past President of Coe College Alumni Assoc. Terry currently volunteers as an asst. coach with the Cotopaxi H.S. boys basketball and baseball teams.
Mark Rowland -- Ambulance Supervisor since 2008
Mark has been involved in pre-hospital emergency care for over 30 years and logged over 5,000 emergency patient responses. Undergraduate degree in business administration is from Coe College, IA, and his graduate work in experiential education from Minnesota State University, MN. He is C.E.O. of Peak Performance!, an accredited, nationally-recognized performance training firm and works with business clients worldwide to improve their performance. Past Commander and an 11-year veteran of the San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Bear Valley Search and Rescue Team, spent 19 years as a Professional Ski Patroller and instructor for the National Ski Patrol System. Mark has been a faculty member or field instructor at four major universities, a law enforcement special tactics instructor, a Red Cross disaster specialist, a paramedic, a radio announcer, and a U.S. Forest Service fire lookout. Mark lives in Texas Creek, Colorado.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
You can reach the Chairman of the Board, Glenda Steuert, by calling (719) 276-9039
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
The Members of Arkansas Valley Ambulance
Cotopaxi, Colorado
Arkansas Valley Ambulance
P.O. Box 210
Cotopaxi, CO 81223
Copyright (c) 2007-2012. All Rights Reserved.
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