Fremont County commissioners acted quickly this week to avoid a disruption in emergency medical services. After weeks of tense negotiations, the board signed a two‑year contract with Priority Ambulance, the Tennessee‑based operator that runs Frontier Ambulance in the county.
Key terms of the agreement
The new deal raises EMT and paramedic pay by 5% in the first year and 4% in the second year. It also expands the workers’ health‑savings account, providing additional financial security for the first‑responders who keep the community safe around the clock. Under the agreement, the county’s annual payment to Priority will rise from $1.9 million to about $2.3 million in year one and $2.4 million in year two, reflecting the higher salaries and inflation‑related cost increases.
Union perspective
United Steel Workers Local 9012 staff representative William Wilkinson told WyoFile that the contract’s primary goal was community safety, not money. “It was never about money. It was about the safety of this community,” Wilkinson said. While no party claimed a total victory, the union expressed satisfaction that EMTs will retain collective‑bargaining rights, a crucial safeguard given the county’s long‑standing staffing challenges.
Commissioner comments
Commissioner Mike Jones, who helped negotiate the deal, acknowledged that the higher dollar figures would draw scrutiny. “Yes, it’s an increase,” Jones said, “but fuel costs have gone up. Everything’s gone up. It’s inflationary.” He added that the short‑term contract serves as a bridge while the Fremont County Association of Governments prepares to assume control of ambulance services.
Long‑term plan for local control
Both the county and the union share a goal of eventually moving EMT services under local government authority. Earlier this year the commission signed a memorandum of understanding with county towns to shift services to the Fremont County Association of Governments. The transition will require multiple certifications, new training programs, and infrastructure upgrades for scheduling, equipment procurement, and other administrative functions.
Funding for the eventual takeover will come from a ¾‑cent sales tax approved by voters in August. Revenue from that tax will not begin arriving until spring, making the interim contract with Priority essential to maintain uninterrupted service.
Why the strike was avoided
The union had threatened to strike after a proposal from Cody Regional Health surfaced, which would have eliminated union representation for EMTs. That proposal angered first‑responders and prompted Local 9012 to schedule a walkout. However, with the contract deadline looming on Oct. 1, all three parties returned to the negotiating table and reached a three‑party agreement that preserved union rights and provided a modest wage boost.
Wilkinson summed up the outcome: “Since it was down to the wire, it was really a three‑party deal.” He noted that the agreement buys time for the county’s long‑term vision while ensuring that residents continue to receive reliable ambulance service starting Oct. 1.
Community impact
Residents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that emergency response will not be interrupted. The contract’s emphasis on safety and fair compensation aligns with the county’s commitment to protect families and uphold the values that make Fremont a strong, faith‑centered community.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
