Grand County EMS

10/08/2026

Better patient care begins with continued learning. 🏔️

Last month, EMT Ellie Grimes participated in Rigging for Rescue’s Finding Balance course in Ouray, Colorado. Ellie joined GCEMS with a strong foundation in rope skills and has continued seeking opportunities to apply those skills to backcountry medical care.

Reflecting on the course, Ellie shared:

“It was an incredible experience to get out to Ouray for five packed days of hands-on learning. We covered every aspect of a technical rescue from start to finish, practicing with the techniques and equipment we would use here at GCEMS. We also covered patient care during the rescue process, focusing on how to achieve and maintain the best patient care possible during the most inconvenient times (hanging from a rope on the side of a cliff for example). This practice was so incredibly valuable.”

At Grand County EMS, education and training are central to our commitment to the residents and visitors we serve. Whether our personnel are advancing their medical knowledge or practicing how to safely care for a patient on a cliffside, we support their drive to learn, grow, and prepare for the challenges of our response area.

Thank you, Ellie, for your initiative and dedication to strengthening your skills - and for bringing that commitment to our team and community! 👏

At Grand COunty EMS, we believe education is the path to better patient care at every turn. And supporting our EMS personelle's desire to grow in their profession, wether is be through Advanced Medical Training, or staying safe cliffside to deliver top notch medical care in situ, is important to us.

Thank you Ellie for your willingness and desire to hone your skills to be the most valuable team member you can be!

10/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Paramedic Ryland Boretti!

Moab native and Grand County High School graduate, Ryland began his EMS journey by taking an EMT course with us. He soon joined GCEMS full time, then set his sights on becoming a paramedic through Utah Valley University.

After completing UVU’s demanding 1,400+-hour paramedic program, Ryland returned to GCEMS for another two months of on shift training to put his new skills into practice and prepare for his expanded role. He has now successfully completed that training and is ready to serve our residents and visitors as a GCEMS paramedic!

Ryland, this accomplishment reflects years of hard work, determination, and dedication. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with you and grateful for your commitment to caring for the community you call home. Congratulations! 🚑

10/06/2026

Please join us in welcoming six new recruits to the Grand County EMS team! 🚑

EMTs Evelyn Chavez, Clare Barbato, Alicia Alonso, Jordan LeCointe, and Aaron Bacon, along with Paramedic Robbie Burnham, completed boot camp this week. Congratulations to all six on reaching this first milestone!

Next comes on-shift training as they prepare to provide high-quality prehospital care to Grand County’s residents and visitors. Along with developing their medical skills and learning ambulance operations, they’ll become familiar with our 3,700-square-mile response area and the teamwork that makes emergency response possible. That includes coordinating with partners at the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Moab Regional Hospital, and the Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue, among others.

As is tradition, the recruits wrapped up boot camp with a backcountry scenario, putting their skills and teamwork into practice in the landscape they’ll help serve.

We’re glad to have you all on board. Thank you for your commitment to caring for our community!

10/01/2026

Welcome to the rotation, Willie! 🎉

This week, Paramedic Willie Kramer completed his training period with Grand County EMS! Under the watchful eyes of our co-medical directors, Dr. Flanagan and Dr. Alexander, Willie completed his final scenarios and earned his navy blues.

Willie lives in Colorado and will make the journey to Grand County to serve our residents and visitors for at least 48 hours each month as a PRN (as-needed) paramedic. We’re grateful for his commitment to caring for our community and helping keep our ambulances staffed and ready to respond.

Congratulations, Willie! We’re happy to have you on the team! 🚑

09/28/2026

Deep tropical moisture across central and southern Utah will result in widespread heavy rainfall resulting in an increased risk for flash flooding through Tuesday. Highest areas of concern include recent burn scars, normally dry washes, and slot canyons. Those with outdoor plans through this period should consider alternate plans.

09/26/2026

Last night, Grand County EMS crews, alongside Grand County Search and Rescue and the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a traumatic injury in the Mineral Bottom area.

GCEMS crews stabilized the patient and administered a prehospital blood transfusion before the patient was transported by Intermountain Air Medical crews.

This marks the third prehospital blood transfusion performed by GCEMS crews since launching our blood program on July 1.

Bringing blood products directly to critically injured patients is another important step in improving the level of emergency care available in Grand County—especially in remote areas where transport times can be significant.

Thank you to our GCEMS crews and our partners at GCSAR, GCSO, and Intermountain Air Medical for their teamwork and commitment to patient care.

09/19/2026

**22:00 Road is back open**

**21:00 Accident sand flats road, expected closer for at least another hour**

**Hit and run incident on sand flats road, one person in critical condition transported to the hospital**

09/18/2026

The Times-Independent recently reported on how early revenue from the expanded Rural Health Care Sales Tax, approved by voters as Proposition 13, is supporting emergency medical services and other rural healthcare needs in Grand County.

Grand County EMS is deeply grateful for our community’s support. We remain committed to using these funds responsibly while providing the highest-quality patient care possible to our residents and visitors.

Thank you, Grand County!

Revenue from the first three months of Grand County’s expanded rural health care sales tax has helped EMS staff a third ambulance more consistently and Moab Valley Fire advances plans to replace its only ladder truck.

09/16/2026

Grand County EMS is seeking two (2) board members to serve from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030. Deadline for applications is November 3, 2026. Please visit the following link to apply! https://grandcountyutah.gov/FormCenter/Councils-Office-18/Board-Commission-Committee-Special-Servi-89

09/10/2026

Sign-up today! www.grandcountyemsutah.gov/education.