GLENDO – Mark and Alicia Green hosted over 120 people at a fundraiser/auction at B&A Marina in Glendo on Aug. 17. A fajita dinner was served to attendees with advance tickets. In addition to a 50/50 raffle, desert auction, and silent auction, a live auction was conducted with remote bids accepted – all to sell a multitude of donated items to benefit Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service. The evening also included fundraising from an ice trough challenge, cornhole tournament, and flower sales from Christy Carlson.
“It was a great success, and everything (in the auction) looked so good,” said Lisa Millikin, vice president and treasurer of Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service.
The fundraiser was to support local emergency response services in Glendo. Receipts are still coming in, but $36,350 was raised, which will be used to help purchase supplies for the year and to put into a fund to purchase a new ambulance.
Last year, the EMS service provider was able to purchase a new Stryker patient transport cot system for the ambulance for just under $60,000, utilizing fundraising contributions.
Donations are essential for the non-profit organization, which does not charge their patients a dime for the emergency medical services (EMS) they provide. The entire operation is self-funded through generous donations.
In the past two years, however, expenses have been high for the cost to maintain the mechanical side of the ambulance and it has become apparent there is a need for a more reliable ambulance – and the current cost for one is just under $300,000, not including equipment.
In attempting to be more resilient and find additional funding sources for purchasing a new ambulance, Glendo EMS is seeking the approval of the Platte County Commissioners to form a district board and seek mill levy funding from property taxes of all owners in the district. The new district boundaries are proposed to be the same as the Glendo Rural Fire District 2F.
A public hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Platte County Commissioners room at the courthouse in Wheatland to accept public comment on the resolution to establish the Glendo EMS district.

A bit of history
Glendo has had volunteers transporting ambulatory patients to Wheatland or Douglas hospitals for as far back as can be remembered, but there aren’t any records before 1972, when the State of Wyoming made emergency responder certification mandatory. At that point, records were being kept, and in 1973 the Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service was formed. The only charge extended to patients was a fee billed by the town to cover the cost of fuel.
In 1977, volunteers responded to 10 local, one rodeo, three lake, and four highway calls, according to records found in an old photo album scrapbook at the EMS office in Glendo. That year, expenses totaled $555 and individuals were charged between $39 to $61 for their emergency ride. In 1978, calls more than doubled with 27 calls for service.

By 1980 there were 36 calls for help, and that year Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service went to a strictly volunteer service in which patients were not billed and all expenses were paid strictly by donations. In 1981, expenses totaled $1,314.06.
In contrast, today expenses run between $16,000 to $20,000 each year for approximately 100 calls for service. Millikin said those costs have run higher in the last couple years partly because of the repair bills for the ambulance – even though their mechanic gives them a reduced rate on the repairs.
In 1973, the Town of Glendo replaced a 1951 Packard ambulance used by the EMS organization with a 1968 Pontiac Ambulance, boasting a “full component of emergency equipment, including built-in suction and oxygen units. The patient compartment is air-conditioned. The newer vehicle represents a vast improvement over the transportation previously available for emergency situations in and near Glendo,” said an article about the new ambulance. The article further stated the purchase price of $1,400 would need to be paid in 30 days by the town, and donations were being requested to defray most or all the costs.
Also, in 1973, an EMT class was held, giving Glendo EMS the first certified volunteers: Frank Carpenter, Alan Cowardin, SuzAnne Millinier (McCormick), Betty Amick and Bob Wendling.
In 1977, the town purchased a ‘71 high top van ambulance for $5,250. In 1982, Glendo received a 911 telephone system which used a “command conference” in which volunteer responders from Glendo were on the line with dispatch and able to confer with the patient in the multi-line system whenever a call came in from the Glendo area.
In 1983, Glendo EMS purchased a new “Ford wheeled coach, van type ambulance for $29,000.” According to a 1994 article by Ruth Ann Collins, “The county put the largest amount toward the purchase, with the Glendo and volunteer EMS group contributing the balance.”
The new van-style ambulance did not fit in the current accommodations (currently the Glendo Museum’s second room), and it was housed in Glendo School’s ag shop until the fire hall was completed in 1985. Both the ambulance and fire trucks are still housed in the fire hall.
In 2007, the process began to obtain the ambulance currently owned by the Town of Glendo. The 2008 Ford cost $75,000 and was paid for with a State Loan and Investment Board grant, through the Town of Glendo.

Volunteers and fundraisers
Another aspect of having a volunteer EMS in a small community is the continuing need for volunteers and training. Over the years, locals have gone to Wheatland, Douglas, or classes in Glendo itself for training. Training is an integral part of the organization, since 80 – 100 hours of continuing education is required to maintain certification, and volunteers have a desire to provide the best service possible for their patients. This spring, after retirement of some long-time volunteers, there was a need for new blood to fill some very big shoes. An Emergency Medical Responder class was held, free for Glendo residents but open to others in the region, and it was a great success, Millikin said. The training added half a dozen individuals to their crew, now totaling 16 volunteers. The class also welcomed attendees from Guernsey Volunteer Fire Department, Camp Guernsey, Douglas, the police department, state park rangers, and some locals.
Millikin said there is potential to do an EMT class in the fall, but that hasn’t been decided yet.

With the service area for Glendo EMS covering 30 miles each direction (from the Converse County line in the north to mile marker 110 to the south; and from the mountains to state highway 270 near the Kindness Ranch), it is imperative to work as a team with mutual aid, and the Glendo Volunteer Fire Department is a critical part of the smooth functioning of the EMS workers.
“The fire department is there for us – I can’t say enough for their support…We couldn’t do it without them – they need a lot of kudos!” Millikin said.
As history has shown, both operation costs and need for service both keep going up, no matter what the economy is doing. And while no fee is charged to patients, the good will and contributions of generous individuals is essential for EMS services to continue year after year. Whether by local businesses or community volunteers, there are multiple events organized to give back to emergency services – both fire and EMS.
“Don’t forget the businesses who support us, including the bars. With their cribbage tournaments and other events throughout the year, they are doing Calcutta benefits for EMS and Fire services. They’re always giving back to the services,” Millikin said. Additionally, the pasture golf tournament held in June raised funds which were split between both non-profits, netting $5,200 to add to the books for both fire and EMS organizations.
One of many organizers for the pasture golf tournament, Tom Krizan, said at the time, “This town is wonderful! We take care of our first responders and host a variety of fundraisers throughout the year to help members of our community.”
That sentiment continues to ring true, evidenced by contrasting the population of Glendo, just over 200 people, with the well-attended number of people at those community events. There are many part-time residents and visitors from out of town who contribute as well.
An essential service which has responded to a little bit of everything – whether city, rural, or recreational emergencies on land or water – volunteers with Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service have seen it all, Millikin said. They also give back to the community as much as possible with special events to thank the community, in addition to helping with school events to bring safety awareness to youths in the community.
Anyone wanting a chance to contribute to the efforts to raise funds for a new ambulance or to support EMS operations in the small-town community are welcome to participate in the annual Glendo EMS benefit golf tournament. It was originally scheduled for Aug. 3 at the Trail Ruts Golf Course in Guernsey but was postponed due to the need to focus on fire response that week. It has been rescheduled for Sept. 14, beginning at 9 a.m. Call Steven Rule at 720-263-0192 for more information on how to enter.
To contact Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service, go to their Facebook page or mail P.O. Box 404, Glendo, WY 82213.
In a thank you to those who have contributed time or money to benefit Glendo EMS, specifically after their recent auction fundraiser, the Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service shared their appreciation on their Facebook page to all who donated.
“…We can never stop giving you our gratitude for the immense support…And last and never the least, [thanks to] the amazing community of Glendo and neighboring areas for constantly showing up for us and being the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ [we] keep doing what we do!” the post said.