About Us/Operations

Facilities & Equipment  :  Edwards Station  :  Vail Station  :  Vehicles  :  Equipment

Prior to its District formation in 1982, and during the 1970s, the ambulance service was a department of the Vail Valley Medical Center. Without garage facilities the snow had to be cleared before each run and medications and intravenous solutions had to be kept inside. Today the District operates its 24-hour, 365-day emergency medical operations from a 4,500 square foot facility in Vail, next door to the hospital emergency department, and a 9,000 square foot facility in Edwards. The newly remodeled Edwards facility contains the administrative functions, classroom and vehicle maintenance bay with hydraulic lift.

Our vehicle fleet is comprised of seven ambulances and four staff vehicles. The seven ambulances of the District are Type III Ford E-350 Super Duty chassis with custom Life Line boxes. Each ambulance costs approximately $95,000 and is replaced approximately every six years. Our Operations Manager and Paramedic Supervisors utilize two Ford Expeditions containing advanced life support supplies. In addition to offering a presence in the community these vehicle are used in multiple casualty incidents, backcountry evacuations and as first response units.

Medical and communications equipment costs an additional $50,000 for each vehicle. The latest medical technology is available via our Lifepak 12 cardiac monitors capable of 12-lead renderings, defibrillation and pacing. Portable ventilators allow us to transfer patients to other hospitals with excellent airway management. The countywide 800 MHz radio system allows communication with all other county emergency agencies.

The District has 21 years of experience in managing a Colorado Special District. The District administration possesses the latest computer billing technology necessary to navigate the complicated health insurance industry and provide personalized service to patients. Field medics enter patient reports via computer from several desktop locations in each building and portable laptops in the ambulances.