NE Colorado RETAC

09/19/2025

✈️🇺🇸 This week, NCRETAC Vice President and Thompson Valley EMS Chief James Robinson is in Washington, D.C. representing our region and the EMS profession.

Chief Robinson is joining colleagues from across the nation to advocate for the establishment of the National EMS Memorial in our nation’s capital — a lasting tribute to honor EMS providers who have given their lives in the line of duty and to recognize the critical role paramedics and EMTs play in safeguarding our communities every day.

We are proud to see leadership from Northeast Colorado standing alongside others to ensure the service and sacrifice of EMS professionals are never forgotten.

✨ Today, Thompson Valley EMS is proud to share that our very own Chief James Robinson is in Washington, D.C., speaking before the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Chief Robinson is representing the National EMS Memorial, advocating for an extension of legislative authority to establish a permanent commemorative work in the nation’s capital.

While our country has national memorials to honor police officers and firefighters, there is still no permanent memorial to recognize the sacrifices of our nation’s EMS providers. Every day, EMS professionals answer the call, often at great personal risk, and some make the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

Chief Robinson is carrying the voices of EMS providers from across the nation to Capitol Hill today, pushing to ensure that their dedication, service, and sacrifice are remembered for generations to come. 💙🚑

We are proud to stand behind him as he works to give EMS the recognition it deserves.

09/18/2025

🚑💻 New Funding Opportunity for Rural Health & EMS IT Needs 💻🚑

A new grant opportunity is now available to help rural organizations modernize and strengthen their information technology (IT) systems that support health services.

The goals include:
✔️ Expanding Health Information Exchange (HIE) and improving EMR/EHR interoperability
✔️ Enhancing data sharing, analytics, and IT infrastructure
✔️ Supporting innovation in patient care across Public Health Agencies and EMS
✔️ Advancing affordable care coordination and better health outcomes for our communities

This funding will help ensure that rural providers have the tools they need to connect, share, and deliver high-quality care across Northeast Colorado and beyond. 🌄

The Office of eHealth Innovation is excited to announce a new rolling grant opportunity specifically for rural health care providers. Rural organizations providing health services can use the funding to harmonize data-sharing capabilities, increase health information sharing, and advance health info...

09/18/2025

🚨 When healthcare comes at a cost 🚨

Living in rural Colorado shouldn’t mean risking mom or baby — but for many pregnant women, access to critical maternity care means hours of driving or even being airlifted far from home. The story of Alisha Toomey from Lamar shows just how tough things can get when complications arise late in pregnancy.
Rocky Mountain PBS

Prowers Medical Center does the best it can in Eastern Colorado, but without NICUs or full high-risk maternity services, many women end up being transferred—sometimes under stressful, urgent conditions.
Rocky Mountain PBS

This raises big questions:

How do we ensure rural hospitals have enough support, staff, and resources?

What can be done to better fund maternity/neonatal services in small communities?

How does geography and distance affect the health outcomes for mothers and infants?

If we want healthier moms and babies across all of Colorado, not just urban centers, this is part of the conversation we need to be having. 💬

Read more here →

A rural Coloradan’s pregnancy journey: “They called in the chopper”

09/16/2025

Today’s NCRETAC Board Meeting
A big thank you to Sedgwick County Ambulance for hosting us at the Julesburg Fire Hall! 🚑🔥

We had a lively and thoughtful discussion with board members and guests, sharing perspectives on how to strengthen EMS, trauma care, and community safety across our 15,700-square-mile region.

Together, we’re working to make sure every resident and visitor in northeast Colorado has access to the best possible emergency medical and trauma services. 💙

09/16/2025

Save the Date: Pediatric Emergency & Trauma Outreach Symposium
📍 Cheyenne, WY • 🗓️ October 1–2, 2025

NCRETAC is excited to share this regional learning opportunity focused on pediatric emergency and trauma care—bringing together EMS, ED/trauma teams, nurses, physicians/APPs, and public health partners from across Northeast Colorado and Southeastern Wyoming.

What to expect:
• Evidence-based updates in pediatric assessment & trauma resuscitation
• Practical pearls for rural & frontier settings
• Case reviews, skills refreshers, and networking with regional peers

👉 Details & Registration: https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pediatric-emergency-and-trauma-outreach-symposium-cheyenne-wy
👥 Great for EMS clinicians, ED/trauma staff, school & community partners

Let’s keep our region’s kids safer by staying sharp together. Please share with your agency, hospital partners, and neighboring counties.

This symposium is for interdisciplinary healthcare team members caring for pediatric patients in an emergency and pre-hospital setting. Current clinical issues and implications for children's health and clinician care delivery are presented and discussed.

09/12/2025

Mental health support for emergency services (in and out of the hospital) is critical for all our professionals. First Responder Trauma Services was recognized by the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce for its important role in the region.

09/12/2025

🔥 Celebrating Weld County Women in Fire Service Day 🔥

This past weekend, Weld County hosted an inspiring Women in Fire Service Day—and what a success it was!

The event highlighted the incredible contributions of women serving in fire and emergency services, while also opening the door for future generations to explore careers in public safety. From sharing experiences and showcasing equipment, to mentoring and encouraging young women to imagine themselves in these roles, the day was filled with pride, learning, and community.

👏 NCRETAC is proud to support and amplify efforts like this that bring visibility, opportunity, and inspiration to those who keep our communities safe. A huge thank you to the organizers, participants, and attendees who made this day possible.

09/06/2025

Happy 50th Birthday Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department!

Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department marks 50 years with a Mountain Festival celebrating its legacy of service.

09/05/2025

The recent announcement from Banner McKee Medical Center has understandably raised questions in our region. We want to echo Thompson Valley EMS in reassuring the community: they remain steadfast in their commitment to your safety and service.

As the Northeast Colorado RETAC, we take any potential disruptions to our regional emergency medical and trauma systems very seriously. Every day, we work alongside our partners to strengthen and support the vital EMS and trauma care that our communities depend on.

We also want to remind our community that UCHealth's Medical Center of the Rockies, the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, remains nearby and ready to provide the highest level of trauma care.

The Banner McKee Medical Center announced Thursday that it will stop offering emergency services in November and become a specialty hospital.

09/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BLTSxWBsb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thompson Valley EMS warns of longer runs to the city’s only remaining emergency room at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies

09/04/2025

Happy Emergency Preparedness Month!?? This is a great opportunity and reminder to review your family and community plans for responding to emergencies in your area.

When the unexpected happens

If history is any guide, the emergencies we’ve experienced tell us that being prepared is extremely important in our lives.

The Board of Larimer County Commissioners proclaimed the month of September as Emergency Preparedness Month in Larimer County. An emergency can quickly change our community and how we live. It’s important to be prepared for that event.

Preparedness enhances recovery, resiliency, plus neighborhood and community connections. Emergency Preparation Month also coincides with Hero Fest, at 10 a.m., Sept. 13, a free family-friendly event sponsored by the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management, City of Fort Collins Emergency Preparedness and Security, and Canvas Credit Union Foundation. https://www.larimer.gov/spotlights/2025/08/28/first-responders-hero-fest-2025