Dammeron Valley, UT – October 11, 2024 – On October 8, 2024, Dammeron Valley Fire & Rescue (DVFR) was awarded a Paramedic Non-Transport designation by the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS), which was the culmination of nearly four years of investment in modernized equipment, apparatus, and staff training and certification. On October 9, 2024, DVFR was notified that the new designation was rescinded due to an error by BEMS in the application process.
In a letter issued to DVFR, BEMS acknowledges its error related to the requirement that the state agency notify all interested parties of the application. Under Utah law, this oversight requires a reinitiation of the application process and BEMS stated its commitment to rectifying its error as quickly as possible. In the meantime, DVFR will revert to its previous provider level of Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Quick Response Unit.
“While we are disappointed that BEMS must reinitiate the application process due to their error, we understand the need to comply with Utah code,” stated DVFR Assistant Chief and Director of Emergency Medical Services, Colleen Homer. “DVFR is committed to supporting BEMS as they work through their issue, and they have committed to expediting the process while complying with the requirements.”
DVFR’s advance to a Paramedic Non-Transport agency was widely celebrated by the southern SR-18 communities served by the department, as well as adjacent agencies and municipalities. DVFR’s leadership received phone calls, emails, and social media messages supporting the new designation as a Paramedic-level agency. “As the only 24/7 staffed emergency response department serving these rural communities, DVFR’s ability to deliver Paramedic-level care is a game-changer,” stated DVFR Fire Chief John Hennessey. “Our crews are nearly always the first on scene in our service area, and with an average response time under nine minutes, this level of care in that timeframe can have a significant impact on patient outcomes.”
Chief Hennessey reiterated the department’s commitment to delivering timely, professional, and high-quality responses to its service area, “The residents and visitors in the rural Washington County communities we serve will continue to enjoy the excellent response and emergency medical care DVFR has been providing them and we look forward to a speedy resolution to this issue.”
DVFR will keep the residents in its service area informed as BEMS makes progress with its process. “We encourage those served by DVFR to continue their support and participate in this process where there is an opportunity to do so.” Chief Hennessey finished, “This department and its achievements are the result of overwhelming support from our community, and we look forward to resuming Paramedic-level service very soon.”
The full text of the notification from BEMS is available below.
For more information about the services provided by Dammeron Valley Fire & Rescue, please visit the department’s website at www.dvfirerescue.org.
Media Contact:
Hunter Wolfe
Public Information Officer
Dammeron Valley Fire & Rescue
+1-435-574-8102
About Dammeron Valley Fire & Rescue (DVFR)
Dammeron Valley Fire & Rescue is a combination department that provides structural and wildland fire prevention and protection services to the residents of Dammeron Valley, Utah. Additionally, the department provides Emergency Medical Services to a 110 square mile area of rural Washington County, Utah. The department operates under the charter of the Dammeron Valley Fire Special Service District. For information, please visit www.dvfirerescue.org and www.dvfrssd.org.
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