Beginning Nov. 1, Regional West will now provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Scotts Bluff County, including the Scotts Bluff County 911 service. Valley Ambulance Service previously provided the ambulance service. Regional West has purchased the assets of Valley Ambulance.

Regional West is assuming the contract to provide the emergent services, as Scotts Bluff County is our core service area; emergency services and 911 response are critical to a community, and Regional West has the tools to do it and do it well. Adding the ground ambulance aspect to the Air Link helicopter and airplane services is a natural fit and will benefit the area’s residents. The agreement will allow more coordination and better communication between air and ground ambulance services and Regional West’s Emergency/Trauma Department.

The service and quality provided by Regional West will match what has been delivered by Valley Ambulance Service. We will continue to have two ambulance stations (one in Gering and one in Scottsbluff) to serve our patients.

Marisa Nicol, Regional West Emergency Medical Services executive director, will head up the service line. It is the first time in the history of Regional West that all emergency services (ground, rotor, fixed-wing aircraft, and the emergency department) have been under one executive director.

“We would like to thank Randy Meininger for his exceptional service over the years and for the dedication he has shown in providing emergency medical services throughout the region. Thank you,” said Mel McNea, Regional West CEO.

Regional West is seeking to expand and enhance the services offered through the Emergency/Trauma Department, including the possibility of recruiting a physician with a fellowship specifically in EMS to serve in a medical director role.