Groundbreaking Ceremony
Industry officials, town and county government, and emergency medical technicians were there for the ceremonial groundbreaking.
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EMT Wendy Boman
Ultra drilling technician and EMT Wendy Boman gives the details of the rescue center.
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Sand Draw Rescue Center breaks ground
by Cat Urbigkit
December 20, 2006
Wednesday afternoon’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Sand Draw Rescue Center was attended by dignitaries from throughout Sublette County government and from throughout the natural gas industry operating in the area.
Four major industrial operators – EnCana Oil and Gas (USA), Ultra Petroleum, Shell Rocky Mountain and BP ¬– kicked in $900,000 for the new $1.4 million building, while Sublette County Commissioners allocated another $500,000. The county health care district agreed to fully staff the facility once it is completed, which is anticipated to be April 1, 2007.
“The generosity of the oil and gas industry and the Sublette County Commissioners will allow us to provide enhanced emergency response and keep Sublette County workers and residents safe,” said Sublette County Emergency Medical Services Supervisor Wil Gay.
The center will host a full ambulance crew 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The center will also house facilities for a sheriff’s deputy and emergency managers who respond to hazardous waste incidents.
The center will house a new ambulance and associated medical equipment, along with space for a computer lab, restrooms, kitchen, and office space for the agencies to be housed there.
EnCana Production Coordinator Chris House, who also serves on the Pinedale Town Council, said, “Sublette County Emergency Medical Services has done an outstanding job throughout the years. They are quick to respond and very professional. The Sand Draw Rescue Center is a much-needed facility that will benefit everyone, and I’m glad that we can all work together to provide a solid solution for emergency response.”
Photos by Cat Urbigkit
Editor's Note: Governor Dave Freudenthal planned to attend this groundbreaking, but a severe Wyoming winter storm hit Cheyenne Wednesday making travel impossible. The Governor did a phone interview with Bob Rule on KPIN 101.1 FM radio Wednesday morning with comments he wanted to say at the ceremony. Click on this link to hear an audio file from Governor Freudenthal: Governor Freudenthal's comments for the Sand Draw Rescue Center groundbreaking (3:47 minutes, 687K, mp3 audio file) Audio file courtesy Bob Rule, KPIN 101.1 FM Pinedale News Radio.
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