EMS NewSilver City, NM - In May, the Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) received two new ambulances to enhance safety for patients and employees, thanks to several grants. These ambulances serve areas from Silver City to Mimbres and throughout the Gila Valley. In 2022, GRMC applied for and received a $650,000 grant from the New Mexico EMS Fund Act Special Projects, with an additional $350,000 matched by GRMC. The need for new ambulances arose from the aging fleet, with the oldest ambulance dating back to 1992 and the newest, from 2016, already having over 530,000 miles.

With the grant, EMS purchased two 2022 Ford 550 4x4 ambulances equipped with advanced medical equipment such as a stair chair, ventilator, and gurney. "These are life-saving changes for our surrounding communities," said Eloy Medina, Director of EMS. "Essentially, this provides a higher level of care for all community members."

In addition to the new ambulances, GRMC EMS acquired a 2023 Ford Expedition to implement a new chase/field supervisor system, addressing staffing needs. The expedition, outfitted with specialty equipment such as a Lucas Device and gurney, is driven by an EMS supervisor/paramedic who follows the ambulances on their calls. This system ensures a supervisor and an additional paramedic are present at the scene, regardless of the call type. "This is a huge benefit to our county and helps the paramedics keep their eyes on the patients, allowing them to make more advanced decisions," explained Medina.

Since its implementation in May, the system has already demonstrated benefits to patient care, minimizing transport delays as the chase paramedic assists the ambulance team in transporting patients. "The EMS crew has responded positively to the new structure, providing an extra level of support in the field," stated Marisol Torres, EMS supervisor. This new system maximizes the effectiveness of paramedics and provides a support network for making high-level decisions, ultimately benefiting the entire community across all types of calls.