During a work session held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Tuesday, March 24, Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Deputy Chief Connie Cook provided the board with an update on EMS and the county’s participation in the Southwest Regional Emergency and Trauma Advisory Council (SWRETAC).
Part of Cook’s update included information about a program called PulsePoint and Heart Safe La Plata, which is a program that is run through the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system that tracks where automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are located around the community.
“It pinpoints where we have AEDs in the community,” Cook said, explaining that the program then marries that information with people who are CPR trained within the community.
“They can download the app for free,” Cook said, noting that anyone who is CPR certified can sign up and use the app.
Cook explained that if there is someone experiencing a cardiac arrest nearby, the app will notify people, “and if they’re close to that AED and that event, they can respond.”
According to Cook’s update, “PulsePoint is a 911-connected mobile app that alerts CPR-trained bystanders to nearby sudden cardiac arrest incidents in public places, aiming to initiate care before emergency crews arrive.”
Cook mentioned that it has been shown that the quicker treatment can be provided, the better the outcome is for that person’s survival.
She explained that the program started out in La Plata County, and the hope is to have it established in Montezuma and Archuleta counties by the end of 2026.
Cook also explained that Heart Safe La Plata is a nonprofit group that was established in the early 2000s that helps “keep an inventory of AEDs located within the community” and offers maintenance on the devices.
That information is then kept and updated with emergency communication centers, Cook noted.
She then mentioned that the PSMC EMS department offers its own CPR training courses.
“We train a ton of people in Archuleta County,” she said, explaining how they are instrumental in getting AEDs placed throughout the community. “And, so, bringing these two things together can really have an impact on people’s lives.”
Cook noted it can impact both visitors and residents.
Cook commented that if just one person’s life is saved through this program, that “would make a huge difference.”
Cook’s update also noted that the app “provides real-time fire/EMS alerts, locates nearby AEDs and improves survival rates by reducing time to defibrillation and CPR.”
Cook noted that PSMC has received funding from the SWRETAC to be able to implement the PulsePoint application.
“We’re really excited about it,” she added, describing it as a “pretty robust program.”
In response to a question from Commissioner Veronica Medina, Cook explained that, right now, no one is managing or keeping track of AED data in the community other than one individual in La Plata County.
She noted that currently it is really the responsibility of the businesses or different organizations that have AEDs to maintain them.
“Right now we don’t really have anything in place. That’s why this program would be so important,” Cook said, explaining the program would help track the life on AEDs, get them placed into businesses and other organizations, and have them integrated into the CAD system all the way through its end of life.
“There’s a lot of AEDs out in the community that are probably collecting dust that have expired things on them, and we need a management program,” Cook said.
EMS as essential service
Later during Cook’s update, she explained that Colorado House Bill 26-1238, recognizing EMS as an essential service, passed the House on its third reading with a 63-0 vote.
Cook explained that many folks might be unaware that EMS has not been recognized as an essential service in the state of Colorado, as only a “handful of states” have done so.
Cook noted that both fire and law enforcement are recognized as essential services in Colorado, “which puts some burden upon the counties to ensure that that service is provided.”
She explained that PSMC is the only entity currently providing EMS in Archuleta County and if it becomes an essential service, “that responsibility would fall to the county to ensure that that’s provided.”
Cook clarified that doesn’t mean the county would take over EMS, but that if something were to change and PSMC could no longer provide the service, “the county would then have the responsibility of ensuring that emergency medical services were provided within Archuleta County.”
She mentioned EMS is set up differently all across the state, but with it becoming an essential service and the county taking on the responsibility of ensuring the service is provided, that could open up the door for additional funding through the state, “which is also very important, as well.”
Cook also commented there is some “pride and ego” involved with having EMS recognized as an essential service.
“If you didn’t have EMS in your county, people probably would be a little bit worried about that,” she said.
Medina commented, “We’re very fortunate that [PSMC] has taken this on,” noting that some other counties around the state take on EMS.
“This is absolutely essential service,” she said, noting that it is necessary for the community to have and that she has no “heartache” with the bill as it just creates a “safety net” for essential services to be provided to communities.
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