Fredonia Receives Temporary Emergency Medical Support from Colorado City
Fredonia, a small town near the Utah-Arizona border, is receiving emergency medical services from Colorado City as officials scramble to develop a sustainable plan. This temporary measure follows the cessation of services from Kane County Hospital, which had served the area for more than four decades.
The change comes after the Arizona Department of Health Services ruled that Kane County’s EMS units lacked the necessary certification and legal authorization to operate in Arizona. This prompted Fredonia Mayor Don Johnson to issue a Declaration of Local Emergency, highlighting the urgent need for emergency medical services.
The declaration emphasized that alternative EMS options from within Arizona would take at least 45 minutes to respond, posing a significant risk to residents. In response, town officials, along with Coconino County health and public safety representatives, convened with the community to devise a temporary solution.
Currently, Colorado City EMS is stepping in to provide ground ambulance services to Fredonia, located about 30 miles away. Additionally, Kane County EMS remains available to assist in emergency situations when requested by law enforcement, such as during severe traffic incidents.
Coconino County Supervisor Patrice Horstman commented on the situation, stating, “We are committed to supporting efforts at the state level to license robust ground ambulance services and ensure uninterrupted access to emergency care.”
The emergency declaration empowers Fredonia to take necessary actions to address the gap in EMS coverage. The town is actively seeking cooperation from various agencies, regardless of their state of origin, to ensure that residents receive the essential emergency care they require.
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