South Gilliam County Ambulance gets boost from young volunteers

This is part 3 of a series that explores the challenges and potential solutions for ambulatory services in Wheeler, Gilliam, and Sherman counties.

The global pandemic shook longtime emergency medical service volunteers and healthcare professionals. Increased demand for ambulance services, coupled with a decline in responders has created a crisis in many communities.

As we've looked at in this series, the slow erosion of volunteers and an increasing reliance on their services have created a dangerous scenario in the towns of Fossil, Spray, and Arlington.

But a different story is unfolding in Condon. Here, experienced emergency medical volunteers Cindy Hinton and Shannon Coppock have actively recruited new volunteers and maintained one of the best crews in the region.

Hinton and Coppock have more than 60 years of experience combined and have overseen operations at the South Gilliam Ambulance Service since 2014. Together, Hinton and Coppock share the coordinator and administration duties.

Today, the South Gilliam County Ambulance Service (SGCAS) has 17 active responders: five EMT-Intermediates (plus one on medical leave), three EMTs, five EMRs, and four drivers. Together, they cover a 700-square-mile area that spans from Mikkalo on the north end to Lost Valley on the southern end.

Although the South Gilliam Ambulance is under the umbrella of the South Gilliam Health District, it has not received funds from the district since 2009. The district does help with payroll and auditing services. Still, the SGCAS has managed to stay financially solvent and with services performing at a high caliber.

Things could have turned out differently. According to the 2020 US Census, the average age of residents in Condon is 64.1. This makes Condon the oldest city in the tri-county area. As the population's average age goes up, so too do medical emergencies and trips to the hospital by ambulance.

Emergency calls that peaked during the pandemic have remained very high – with approximately 14 calls per month and a total of 154 calls for service from July of 2023 to June of 2024.

The SGCAS has also responded to mutual-aid requests from Fossil, and has agreements in place with Morrow County, Sherman County, and North Gilliam Medic should the need arise.

Cindy Hinton says that the COVID pandemic stressed the crew, with requirements of masks and PPE that made the job extraordinarily difficult. Still, the SGCAS managed to retain its long term volunteer members and to also attract some new blood.

But even with a solid crew of volunteers, Hinton and Coppock say that they can't let their guard down or get too comfortable.

"Although the total numbers are encouraging, ten of the 17 active members work or go to school full-time," says Cindy Hinton.

"The average age of our crew is 58 years old – with three responders having over 30 years of service with our agency, and another three with 20 plus years of service."

Looking to the younger generation has been a priority. This year, high school student Jonathan Bates joined the team after gaining his Emergency Medical Responder license. Jonathan is a third-generation responder currently active with the SGCAS, following in the footsteps of his father, Sam Bates, and grandfather, Paul Bates.

In addition, sisters-in-law DaiLene Wilson and Dana Selby have continued their education and have gained licensure as EMTs. Hinton also says drivers are of utmost importance, as EMTs can be utilized for their specific skills and not asked to drive the ambulance, giving a break to team members. Cindy's husband Jim Hinton is a seasoned veteran and an ace driver for the ambulance. You'll never hear "just a driver" when talking to crew members at SGCAS – each person has a key role to play.

Importantly, volunteer members have also been recruiting new team members, taking some of the burden off of Coppock and Hinton.

The goal is to make members feel valued without burning them out.

Last year, the team began using an app that allows members to select days off to ensure that duties are evenly spread and coverage is maintained.

"We have a tight-knit group," says Shannon Coppock, who started her career in the Tri-Cities.

But Hinton and Coppock have ongoing concerns about sustainability. Reducing barriers, creating engagement, and maintaining volunteerism are moving goalposts.

"It doesn't make a difference if it's fire or ambulance; it's difficult to get volunteers," says Cindy Hinton. "Especially with fire and ambulance, it isn't just something that somebody can say, 'hey, I want to come help you,' and you put them on the line or in the back of an ambulance."

Education, mentoring, and ongoing support are necessary ingredients for ambulatory volunteer members.

So too is generating interest and making classes accessible and achievable.

As we discussed in the last story, training for new EMTs was taken out of local areas and funneled through community colleges about ten years ago. The last on-site class for EMRs and EMTs in Condon was in 2013, which Cindy Hinton taught.

Both Cindy Hinton and Shannon Coppock believe that in-person classes are best for emergency medical services, though both have taken a combination of in-person and online courses for their Intermediate EMT classes.

And both Coppock and Hinton say that there is no time to rest on laurels. Even when things appear to be progressing nicely, there are setbacks. In the past few years, 11 students have expressed interest in volunteering and gaining licensure, with all classes and licensure expenses paid for by SGCAS. However, only four of those volunteers are still active. At nearly $3,600 per student, this was a tough pill to swallow.

Despite these setbacks, Coppock and Hinton know that the culture they have helped build has some staying power. And they continue to welcome newcomers into the fold.

"I think part of the reason that our (service) is as good as it is, is because there's a really strong core of people who have been here a long time and in leadership positions," Coppock says. "And that comes with lots of knowledge, and lots of experience – it takes time to build," Coppock says.

What can you do to help?

1. Consider joining the SGCAS team. Drivers, EMRs, EMTs, and those interested in serving their community are encouraged to join. The more volunteer members that are licensed and ready, the smaller the burden for each team member. Call Cindy or Shannon at (541) 384-5555 or email them at sgcas@ortelco.net to learn more.

2. Get your insurance sorted out. Medical debt is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy in the United States. It also creates challenges for billing locally. Everyone in the area should have these insurance policies: LifeFlight and AirMed, and Tri-County Ambulance insurance for Morrow, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties (MCHD) that costs just $45 a year.

3. Is it an emergency? This might seem tricky to decipher when things are scary, but if you have a medical issue that does not require an ambulance, have a list of people who can help you get to the hospital or your doctor. The ambulance isn't a taxi.

4. Thank your volunteer ambulance members. They are out there in all conditions on what might be the worst day of your life. You may not realize their importance until you need them.