Burlington Ambulance Service receives new lifesaving equipment

Big Horn County Fire Protection District #4 applied for and received a grant for $104,617.57 to purchase a LifePak 15 with accessories and PowerLOAD/PowerPRO XT Cot. 

The grant came from the Hospitals and Healthcare Systems Preparedness and Infrastructure Program. It is part of the COVID-19 Health Disparity Grant Program. 

Christine Bullinger said that even with the grant, the ambulance would not be able to get the equipment if it weren’t for Big Horn REA and TCT. 

The grant was a reimbursable grant.  Bullinger explained “The ambulance service operates under the Big Horn County Fire Protection District #4 which certainly doesn’t have $100,000 available to use.” 

The fundraising effort started last fall with a presentation to Big Horn REA. The district requested funds for the power cot. The cot is a bed on wheels that automatically loads patients into the ambulance. This helps reduce lift injuries as they can raise and lower with a push of a button. This also improves safety for the patient.

Bullinger said the REA generously stepped up and offered funds on a matching basis. “Without their initial support, I’m not sure this ever would have gotten off the ground. We are planning to use their donation to cover the installation cost to install the power cot when it arrives (need to have an out-of-state provider for that) and to pay for a scoop cot to transport patients to the power cot as needed.” 

REA General Manager Jeff Umphlett said the company and its board believes in supporting endeavors such as this because it improves the lives of their members. The money REA uses for these types of donations comes from unclaimed capital credits. Rather than the money going back to the state, REA has committed to using it to be involved in and help the communities they serve. 

 TCT then generously stepped up and offered the fire district a zero-interest loan for $100,000.  Richard Wardell, the CEO of TCT, stated the company was glad to be able to offer the loan (which has been paid back). While $100,000 donation wasn’t possible as TCT donates to various organizations and has a limited donation budget, it was able to provide a short-term loan. 

The LifePak the ambulance will receive is a monitor used to take vital signs at every call. It also contains a defibrillator to use with certain heart conditions. Bullinger said it would provide real time data for accurate telehealth communications. 

She again expressed her appreciation to the local businesses that continue to support timely ambulance service in this area. ”Having services in Burlington/Otto benefits all the Big Horn Basin as we respond to many vehicle accidents on the major highways residents use,” she said.