06/16/2026
High Plains Ambulance Authority Presents EMS Collaboration Plan to Limon Fire Board
Representatives from the High Plains Ambulance Authority attended the Limon Fire board meeting to provide an update on the developing regional EMS collaboration and answer questions about how the proposed authority may affect emergency medical services across Lincoln County.
Rachel Carson, Chief Nursing Officer for Lincoln Health in Hugo, spoke on behalf of the group and explained that the effort began after a state consultative EMS review was completed nearly three years ago. That review evaluated EMS operations throughout the county and identified concerns related to reimbursement, expense management, staffing, sustainability, and resource availability.
One of the major recommendations from that review was the creation of an EMS authority.
Carson emphasized that the authority is not intended to replace local agencies or take away their independence. Instead, the proposed model would allow each participating entity to maintain its own identity, equipment, license, and operations while working together more formally.
Current participating agencies include Lincoln Health, Limon Ambulance, and Agate Fire Protection District.
“The goal is that when you call 911, somebody is available to respond,” Carson said.
The authority has already begun limited resource sharing, including the use of an ALS fly car. The fly car allows advanced life support personnel to respond across the region and assist local ambulance crews when needed. Carson said the project has already shown benefits by improving access to ALS care in areas where that level of coverage has not always been consistently available.
A major focus of the discussion was staffing. Carson noted that rural EMS agencies across the region are struggling with limited personnel, rising costs, and a shift away from traditional volunteer-only models. By sharing staff and coordinating schedules, the authority hopes to reduce duplication, improve coverage, and make EMS more sustainable long term.
The group also discussed possible financial benefits, including shared purchasing power for medications, supplies, equipment, and billing services. Carson explained that Lincoln Health is part of a group purchasing organization, which allows the hospital to access better pricing on supplies and medications. Through collaboration, participating EMS agencies may be able to benefit from those savings.
Board members raised questions about day-to-day operations, mutual aid, and concerns about ensuring that the closest and most appropriate ambulance responds to emergencies. Carson clarified that the authority does not eliminate existing mutual aid agreements and does not prevent Limon Ambulance from requesting assistance from non-participating agencies such as Hugo Fire.
Discussion also focused on response times, staffing availability, and level of care. Representatives explained that the closest ambulance by mileage may not always be the fastest available resource if that agency is staffed by volunteers responding from work or home. In some situations, a farther ambulance that is already staffed and ready to respond may arrive sooner and provide a higher level of care.
The board also asked about liability, insurance, and what happens when personnel from one agency operate another agency’s ambulance. Carson said those are exactly the issues the collaboration agreement is intended to address. The agreement is being developed with legal guidance to help protect agencies and providers when resources are shared.
Another topic of discussion was communication between agencies. Participants discussed the possibility of shared response apps, shared schedules, or a centralized platform where agencies could see staffing and resource availability. While there are challenges related to software contracts and agency preferences, several members agreed that better communication would improve emergency response.
Carson said the authority remains in the early stages and that no agency is being forced to participate. She said other departments may choose to join later if they decide the model is beneficial.
The authority has also drawn attention at the state level. Carson said the project has been discussed with EMS leaders and state advisory groups, and that regular updates are being provided through the EMS Council and to county commissioners.
Supporters of the authority said the long-term goal is to protect rural EMS access, improve patient care, strengthen staffing, and make emergency response more dependable across the region.
“We all deserve to have that response when you call 911,” Carson said. “Somebody once said it shouldn’t matter where you live, if you live, and I think that’s 100 percent true.”
No formal action was taken during the discussion. The High Plains Ambulance Authority representatives said they would continue providing updates through EMS Council meetings and remain available to answer questions from the board.
