Park Gives Donation to Ambulance Fund

Date: March 18, 2009
Contact: Kyle Patterson, 970-586-1363

Today, March 18, Rocky Mountain National Park staff presented a $2,500 donation to the Quota Club Estes Park Medical Center (EPMC) Ambulance Fund in recognition of ongoing services provided by Dr. Scott Chew. Dr. Chew, who is an emergency room physician with the Estes Park Medical Center, has been the park’s Physician Advisor for twelve years.

Dr. Chew provides program oversight for basic and Advanced Life Support (ALS) training needs for park employees and helps to ensure quality control of emergency medical services involving treatment protocols, use of ALS drugs, advanced procedures, and advice on patient care during mountain rescues. This donation also recognizes the park’s successful partnership with the EMPC and Ambulance Service for transporting injured and ill visitors from the park to definitive medical care at our local hospital or beyond. We are extremely fortunate at Rocky Mountain National Park to have high quality EMS services on our door-step. This greatly enhances the quality and availability of medical care for persons who become injured or ill while visiting the park. In 2008, there were 128 such cases, 36 of which required ground ambulance transport.

When presenting the check Chief Ranger Mark Magnuson said, “Park staff appreciate the partnership we have with Dr. Chew and other emergency room and ambulance staff. Our relationship is vital when assisting park visitors during critical times.”