Stations

Edwards Station  : Avon Station :  Vail Station  

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, an 11,900 square foot facility in Edwards and an 11,000 square foot facility in Avon. The newly constructed Avon facility houses two administrators while the Edwards’ facility contains the remainder of the administrative functions, classroom and vehicle maintenance bay with hydraulic lift.

Our vehicle fleet is comprised of eight ambulances and four staff vehicles. The eight ambulances of the District are Type III Ford E-350 Super Duty chassis with custom Life Line boxes. Each ambulance costs approximately $125,000 and is replaced approximately every six years. Our Operations Manager and Paramedic Supervisors utilize a Ford Explorer and a Ford Expedition 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 15 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 more than 25 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 computers from several desktop locations in each building and portable laptops in the ambulances.

Edwards Station

A 1,040 square foot classroom is used often by the District and the public for meetings and training.	Our maintenance bay with its hydraulic lift is useful for vehicle maintenance.
A weight machine and an elliptical trainer provide a source of exercise for crews on duty in Edwards.

 

Vail Station

 

Occasionally we have time to make a nice meal on duty.